The country’s 1,200 paramedics have called off their strike threat following talks between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and unions last night.
The dispute is over a recent decision by the HSE to sign contracts with three private ambulance operators for providing some services.
Siptu had claimed the plan was a "step towards the privatisation of the public health services".
The HSE strongly denied this. It said private contracts existed for providing patient transport for many years and that the work given to private companies represents less than 4 per cent of the budget of the national ambulance service.
The one-day stoppage, which had been planned for April 7th, has been averted, Siptu national industrial secretary Matt Merrigan said today.
"The HSE Employers Agency, and the health unions reached agreement on the terms of the ambulance adjudication which will see an additional 180 paramedics commence training in 2008," he said.
"Agreement was also reached in respect of the utilisation of agency/external service providers under revised procurement arrangements, with agreed monitoring facilities."