Johnny Guirke TD calls for immediate action to protect health and social care workers’ morale

Friday 16th Janaury 2026, 10:25am

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Johnny Guirke, today issued a stark wake-up call to the health and social care sector, political leaders, and all stakeholders, in light of the new report on morale among health and social care workers. The findings underscore a pressing need to safeguard the wellbeing of the workforce as staff confront burnout, high caseloads, and in some cases poorly treated from the top down chain of command.

Teachta Guirke said:

“This report must be a wake-up call to the health and care sector employers, political leaders, and stakeholders.

“The voices of health and social care workers must be heard at every level of decision-making. I commend every member who took part in the survey for sharing their experiences so candidly. We owe it to them to turn these findings into concrete and lasting improvements.

“I attended the launch of the report at the Dáil last Tuesday with the Fórsa, where the message from participants was clear - frontline workers and union voices must be embedded in policy development and operational decisions that affect their day-to-day work. The release of this report should spur urgent reforms aimed at stabilising morale, supporting staff and delivering better care for patients and service users.

“I also attended a committee meeting on changing demographics, which included a focus on the ageing population. If the retention crisis among healthcare workers is not addressed comprehensively, the question looms large: who will look after the elderly if they need care? The point is not only about recruitment but about creating sustainable, supportive work environments that empower staff to stay.

“The Minister for Health must ensure that hospitals and care settings are adequately addressed. Particularly, staff must be listened to, and unions must be part of the discussion. Engaging unions and frontline workers in a meaningful dialogue is essential to improving low morale. If we want to attract and retain healthcare workers - especially those who are thinking of calling Ireland home - we must deliver real, practical improvements now.

“This is not merely about morale, it is about the sustainability of our healthcare system. By listening to workers, investing in staffing, and ensuring inclusive leadership, we can restore confidence, improve patient outcomes, and create environments where healthcare professionals feel valued and supported in Ireland.”

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