Echoes of Duty and Demand: Donegal HCAs Prepare for Two Days of Action

In the rolling hills and quiet lanes of Donegal, caregiving is more than a job — it is a labour of attentive kindness, woven into the fabric of everyday life. Yet when those who care for others feel their own needs go unheard, even the gentlest of services can find itself at a crossroads. Next month, Health Service Executive (HSE) Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in the HSE Home Support Service are preparing to step away from their duties for two days, their action born not of resentment, but of a deep‑seated plea for long‑promised improvements to working conditions that they say have yet to be fulfilled.

Members of the trade union SIPTU voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, with around 95 % in favour, reflecting widespread frustration over unimplemented terms and conditions agreed up to eight years ago. As a result, HCAs in Donegal will cease their normal rostered duties on 13 and 20 February, joining colleagues in other counties such as Cork, Clare, Kerry and Limerick who are also set for regional strike days. Pickets are planned at employers’ offices, though contingency arrangements will be in place to support urgent care needs for vulnerable clients during the stoppages.

For many of these workers, the dispute is rooted in more than a single issue. According to union organisers, underpayments dating back to 2018, non‑implementation of roster agreements, and excessive split shifts with inadequate breaks have persisted despite earlier commitments by the HSE and negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission. HCAs argue that these unresolved concerns have contributed to worker burnout and hindered the delivery of consistent care in community settings.

The HSE has responded by expressing willingness to engage further on matters in dispute, and says it believes agreements are largely honoured, with the main point of contention being the discharge of contracted hours. The organisation emphasises that negotiation channels, including full industrial relations processes and potential referral to the Labour Court, remain open as it seeks to resolve these issues.

Still, SIPTU leaders maintain that without meaningful engagement and action, the planned stoppages will go ahead — a step they describe as regrettable yet necessary to draw attention to longstanding concerns over care conditions and workers’ well‑being. As these dates approach, the ripple effects may be felt not just by staff but by the communities that rely on their steadfast support, underscoring the delicate balance between essential care services and the conditions under which they are delivered.

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Sources RTE News Highland Radio (Strike announcement) Donegal Daily Highland Radio (union remarks on averting strike) RTE News (Healthcare assistants vote for strike)