Stop forcing newly qualified paramedics to reapply for their own jobs
Stop forcing newly qualified paramedics to reapply for their own jobs
The Issue
The Issue
76 newly qualified paramedics across Ireland, enough to crew 38 ambulances, are being forced by the HSE and National Ambulance Service to reapply and compete for their ownjobs. These paramedics are fully qualified and hold a BSc in Paramedic Studies from University College Cork. They have undertaken 3 years of intense training and education, at a cost to the taxpayer of approximately €15.8 million, only to be told their job is not guaranteed.
Paramedics play an essential role within the Irish Health Service, responding to 999 calls, treating medical emergencies, advocating for their patients, and reassuring family members. Nobody wants to have to call for an ambulance, but everyone wants an ambulance to be there when they call. These 76 newly qualified paramedics, along with all the paramedics in NAS, chose this career so that they could be there to help when people need it most. But this HSE decision effectively risks taking 38 ambulances off the road and losing 76 paramedics.
Instead of offering these paramedics a permanent contract, as was done in years gone by, the HSE and NAS are forcing them to reapply, re-interview, and compete for their own job. They have been told they are not guaranteed an interview. They have been told they could be offered a job on the other side of the country, away from their families, their homes, and the communities they have worked in the last two years. They have also been told if they do not reapply by March 11th, the HSE are happy to lose them.
We are calling on the Department of Health, the HSE, and NAS to urgently reconsider and reverse this decision. The NAS is already understaffed, as is evident from the long waiting times for ambulances nationwide. The HSE and NAS should be fighting to hold on to every paramedic, but instead they are willing to risk losing staff equivalent to taking 38 ambulances off the road.
We are calling on you to sign this petition and demand that this decision be reversed, and these paramedics allowed to continue to do the job that they have been trained to do.
11,130
The Issue
The Issue
76 newly qualified paramedics across Ireland, enough to crew 38 ambulances, are being forced by the HSE and National Ambulance Service to reapply and compete for their ownjobs. These paramedics are fully qualified and hold a BSc in Paramedic Studies from University College Cork. They have undertaken 3 years of intense training and education, at a cost to the taxpayer of approximately €15.8 million, only to be told their job is not guaranteed.
Paramedics play an essential role within the Irish Health Service, responding to 999 calls, treating medical emergencies, advocating for their patients, and reassuring family members. Nobody wants to have to call for an ambulance, but everyone wants an ambulance to be there when they call. These 76 newly qualified paramedics, along with all the paramedics in NAS, chose this career so that they could be there to help when people need it most. But this HSE decision effectively risks taking 38 ambulances off the road and losing 76 paramedics.
Instead of offering these paramedics a permanent contract, as was done in years gone by, the HSE and NAS are forcing them to reapply, re-interview, and compete for their own job. They have been told they are not guaranteed an interview. They have been told they could be offered a job on the other side of the country, away from their families, their homes, and the communities they have worked in the last two years. They have also been told if they do not reapply by March 11th, the HSE are happy to lose them.
We are calling on the Department of Health, the HSE, and NAS to urgently reconsider and reverse this decision. The NAS is already understaffed, as is evident from the long waiting times for ambulances nationwide. The HSE and NAS should be fighting to hold on to every paramedic, but instead they are willing to risk losing staff equivalent to taking 38 ambulances off the road.
We are calling on you to sign this petition and demand that this decision be reversed, and these paramedics allowed to continue to do the job that they have been trained to do.
11,130
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Petition created on 27 February 2026