A dispute over staffing levels at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar has been resolved, with 90 nurses and midwives to be hired.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says it has secured agreement for the posts following talks with local management.

A lunchtime protest was held at the hospital in January and INMO members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a work to rule.

The agreement will see additional funding for 39 posts which are in the process of being filled; 10 staff nurses recruited for the Emergency Department; 26 staff midwives recruited; and 15 staff nurses hired for general ward areas.

INMO Industrial Relations Officer Derek Reilly said the resolution "is a positive outcome for our members who have continued to struggle with unmanageable workloads on a daily basis due to persistent overcrowding and understaffing.

"We are now calling for these posts to be filled as an absolute priority in the interests of patient care and the nursing/midwifery staff striving to provide that care," he added.