Taoiseach confirms graduate paramedics in Louth will receive permanent positions amid protests

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed all year three paramedic graduates will be offered full-time permanent contracts amid protests outside the Dáíl. 

The protest was attended by Sinn Féin representatives for Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú, Joanna Byrne and Drogheda councillor Debbie McCole as well as National Ambulance Staff (NAS). 

Deputy Ó Murchú told the Taoiseach he had been contacted by student paramedics who hadn't been offered permanent post-qualification roles for the first time. 

He said graduates were told there had been a delay in issuing contracts before being offered a 16-week extension. 

“They thought they were working for the HSE and they want to do so. The
protesters believe it is a problem with numbers. The HSE is playing around with this. We do need to find a solution."

“There could be up to 400 trainees for the National Ambulance Service, who could be looking at having to reapply and who are not sure of their jobs. That is a particular issue that needs to be dealt with," he said. 

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Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil a solution needs to be found because "in other parts of the health service we would love if people would stay on after training, qualifying and working".

The following day, the Taoiseach said that after consultation with the HSE, full-time permanent contracts would be made available to all year three graduates who have completed their training. 

“To ensure a fair and transparent allocation of posts, graduates have been asked to apply through a confined internal competition. This is exactly how things operate in other parts of the health service, including for graduate nurses."

“Graduates have been asked to select their three preferred locations in a region from the available vacancies and every effort will be made to accommodate first preferences.

However, where a vacancy is oversubscribed, the process being implemented will ensure a fair and equitable selection process has been established to allocate roles," he said. 

The Taoiseach concluded by reiterating that "everyone is going to get a job". 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.