Extending a recruitment freeze to all categories of staff in the HSE is 'serious and dangerous' as we come into winter.
Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane has said the freeze will mean reputational and industrial relations damage to the health service.
Healthcare unions are warning that the extended embargo on recruitment will see even more healthcare staff leaving the country.
Deputy Cullinane told The Hard Shoulder the move will have serious consequences.
"It's not surprising given that earlier this month we had a freeze put in place for non-training junior doctors, some homecare workers, healthcare assistants in clerical grades," he said.
"We know that was a direct consequences of the very intentional decesion of Government to underfund the health services for this year and in the Budget '24 for next year as well.
"What we're seeing now is a wholesale expansion of that.
"I think it's very serious, I think it's dangerous."
'They won't come home'
Deputy Cullinane said those who may be thinking about returning from abroad are being told to stay put.
"Essentially it's all grades - so for all those nurses who are in Australia, in New Zealand that we want to come back and work in the Irish healthcare system... will now not be offered a job and won't come home," he said.
"Essentially [they] are being told to stay where they are in Australia, in New Zealand and elsewhere.
"It also will apply to a whole range of grades: speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, radiographers.
"Think of CAMHS and mental health services, think of community services and care for people, older people in the home.
"All of this is now going to be affected by this very serious and dangerous recruitment freeze".
Deputy Cullinane said the freeze will also see anyone who was going through the recruitment process being stalled.
"What is deeply cynical in terms of the move today is that there are many people who will have been offered jobs, went through the recruitment process - possibly for months - and now have the carpet pulled from under them," he said.
"I think that has dire consequences, reputation damage potentially for the HSE, certainly potentially industrial relations issues - I know the INMO board are meeting later this evening.
"So, I think this sends out entirely the wrong message at a very crucial time when we are heading into the winter months," he added.
Consultants, doctors in training, and nurses and midwives who graduated this year are not affected by the embargo.
Listen back here:
