Unions at Tallaght Hospital begin balloting on industrial action today because of threatened staff lay-offs. The service plan for the hospital, containing rationalisation details, is due to be presented to the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, on Friday.
The hospital's management has said it will not be able to stay within the £64.69 million budget allocated for the year by the Department of Health and some 200 job cuts may be needed. The ballot closes on Friday morning and the result is expected that evening.