HR circulars

2026

Appendices

The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 - compliance with rest provisions and maximum weekly working hours (PDF, 311KB, 14 pages)

Department of Health circular 001 2026 – 1 February 2026 pay adjustments (PDF, 213KB, 3 pages)

2025

HR circular 001 2025 - Revision allowance rates training in management of aggression and violence (PDF, 314 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 002 2025 - HSE policy on fraud and corruption 2025 (PDF, 312 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 003 2025 - Revision of domestic subsistence rates (PDF, 405 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 004 2025 – Application of 1 March 2025 pay scales (PDF, 151 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 005 2025 - Payment of clinical placement allowances to undergraduate supernumerary (PDF, 109 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 006 2025 - Commencement of CORU registration for social care workers (PDF, 163 KB, 6 pages)

HR circular 007 2025 - Sponsorship for public HSE employees (PDF, 113 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 008 2025 - Extension of the expert review body recommendation 45 (PDF, 112 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 009 2025 - HSE principles for extended working day or week (PDF, 305 KB, 7 pages)

HR circular 010 2025 - Extension of the temporary scheme of paid leave until 31 December 2025 (PDF, 227 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 011 2025 - Special leave with nominal pay clarification regarding single public service pension scheme (PDF, 110 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 012 2025 - Non-reckonability of time spent working in a public body (PDF, 185 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 013 2025 - Advance specialist pharmacists, phase 2 implementation McLoughlin report (PDF, 152 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 014 2025 - Application of 1 August 2025 pay adjustments (PDF, 112 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 015 2025 - Upgrade of registered nurses, intellectual disability to CNM1 (PDF, 141 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 016 2025 - Mental health nursing on call (PDF, 172 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 017 2025 - Annual leave and notice period for resignations and retirements (PDF, 191 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 018 2025 - CORU registration for social care workers (PDF, 232 KB, 4 pages)

HR circular 019 2025 - Integrated guidance bloodborne viruses (PDF, 175 KB, 4 pages)

Appendices

CORU employer opinion of competence form (PDF, 447KB, 19 pages)

CORU guidance section 91 - Applying for registration online for first-time social care workers (PDF, 572KB, 33 pages)

CORU social care employers memo December 2025 (PDF, 342 KB, 5 pages)

CORU social care workers code of professional conduct and ethics (PDF, 473 KB, 32 pages)

DoH circular 1 2025 - Allowance for training in the management of aggression and violence (PDF, 210 KB, 1 page)

DoH circular 3 2025 - Revision of domestic subsistence rates (PDF, 139 KB, 2 pages)

DoH circular 4 2025 - Application of pay adjustments for 1 March 2025 (PDF, 333 KB, 7 pages)

DoH circular 5 2025 - Extension of the expert review body recommendation 45 (PDF, 232 KB, 2 pages)

DoH circular 6 2025 - Application of pay adjustments for 1 August 2025 (PDF, 733 KB, 3 pages)

DPER circular 06 2025 - Application of 1 March 2025 pay adjustment (PDF, 693 KB, 12 pages)

DPER circular 16 2025 - Application of 1 August 2025 pay adjustment (PDF, 759 KB, 11 pages)

HR circular 004 2025 appendix - Application of 1 March 2025 pay scales (PDF, 2,630 KB, 69 pages)

HR circular 014 2025 appendix - 1 August 2025 pay scales (PDF, 934 KB, 69 pages)

HR circular 015 2025 appendix 1 - Distribution of CNM1s RNID agreement April 2025 (PDF, 103 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 015 2025 appendix 2 - CNM1 job description non-supervisory clinical ID services (PDF, 102 KB, 3 pages)

HSE policy on fraud and corruption January 2025 (PDF, 743 KB, 16 pages)

Lymphoedema Specialist Payscale March 2025 (PDF, 120 KB, 1 page)

Social care workers applicant information booklet November 2025 (PDF, 839 KB, 8 pages)

2024

HR circular 028 2024 - Right to postpone maternity leave in cases of serious illness (PDF, 155 KB, 4 pages)

2023

HR circular 008 2023 - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 320 KB, 4 pages)

Addendum HR circular 008 2023 - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 285 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 023 2023 - Change to parental leave age limit in the public health sector (PDF, 233 KB, 1 page)

Appendices

Checklist for implementing Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 182 KB, 2 pages)

Checklist for transferring to Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 279 KB, 2 pages)

Consultant contract 2023 salary scales and allowances (PDF, 175 KB, 1 page)

Continuing medical education guidance (PDF, 226 KB, 4 pages)

Differences between 2008 and 2023 Public Only Consultant Contracts (PDF, 225 KB, 5 pages)

DoH circular 12 2023 - Increase in maximum age for parental leave (PDF, 124 KB, 1 page)

Expanded explanatory notes - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 313 KB, 14 pages)

External work application form - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 227 KB, 3 pages)

External work application procedure - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 196 KB, 3 pages)

Frequently asked questions - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 284 KB, 11 pages)

General explanatory notes - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 275 KB, 11 pages)

Guidance for external work applications - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 443 KB, 28 pages)

Innovation fund guidance - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 166 KB, 1 page)

Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 - Contract of employment (PDF, 803 KB, 77 pages)

Public Only Consultants Contract 2023 including academic (PDF, 731 KB, 74 pages)

Rostering principles - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 193 KB, 3 pages)

Short explanatory notes - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 195 KB, 5 pages)

Updated FAQs - Public Only Consultant Contract 2023 (PDF, 628 KB, 14 pages)

2021

HR circular 001 2021 – National collection of weekly absence for COVID‑19 (PDF, 501 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 002 2021 - Frontline healthcare employees with childcare responsibilities during COVID-19 (PDF, 622 KB, 6 pages)

HR circular 003 2021 - Carryover of annual leave for frontline healthcare workers (PDF, 369 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 004 2021 - Further extension of waiver of abatement for specific frontline healthcare workers in the context of COVID-19 (PDF, 500 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 005 2021 - DPER FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 (PDF, 948 KB, 16 pages)

HR circular 007 2021 - COVID-19 updated absence codes (PDF, 321 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 013 2021 - Special leave with pay for COVID-19 premium payments (PDF, 463 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 015 2021 - FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 March 2021 (PDF, 821 KB, 16 pages)

HR circular 016 2021 - Revised arrangements for absence reporting (PDF, 327 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 017 2021 – Waiver of pension abatement (PDF, 495 KB, 7 pages)

HR circular 021 2021 – Code of practice on the right to disconnect (PDF, 756 KB, 17 pages)

HR circular 022 2021 – Arrangements for staff in relation to travel overseas (PDF, 379 KB, 5 pages)

HR circular 025 2021 – FAQs about COVID‑19 working arrangements and leave 3 June 2021 (PDF, 599 KB, 18 pages)

HR circular 030 2021 – Revised arrangements for change in contract requests during COVID‑19 (PDF, 182 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 032 2021 - Updated arrangements in relation to travel overseas (PDF, 516 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 034 2021 – Guidance and FAQs on working arrangements during COVID‑19 8 October 2021 (PDF, 968 KB, 18 pages)

HR circular 038 2021 – Working from home and Special Leave with Pay 18 November 2021 (PDF, 636 KB, 4 pages)

HSE circular 040 2021 - DPER FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 November 2021 (PDF, 875 KB, 17 pages)

HR circular 043 2021 update on HSE circular 40 2021 – DPER quick guide close contacts and restricted movements (PDF, 602 KB, 3 pages)

Appendices

HR circular 002 2021 appendix 1 management review of working arrangements for frontline healthcare employees with childcare responsibilities during COVID-19 (PDF, 22 KB, 1 page)

HR circular 016 2021 appendix 1 HSE national absence instructions 2021 (PDF, 649 KB, 7 pages)

Workplace Relations Commision - Code of practice on the right to disconnect March 2021 (PDF, 532 KB, 16 pages)

Procedure for employees and managers for absence due to COVID-19 2021 (PDF, 426 KB, 2 pages)

Guidance and FAQS for public service employers during COVID-19 March 2021 (PDF, 1 MB, 44 pages)

DPER FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 November 2021 (PDF, 1 MB, 41 pages)

DPER Quick guide on COVID-19 working arrangements November 2021 (PDF, 408 KB, 7 pages)

FAQs COVID-19 working arrangements and temporary assignments 16 June 2021 (PDF, 1.2 MB, 47 pages)

FAQs COVID-19 working arrangements and temporary assignments 29 September 2021 (PDF, 1.1 MB, 40 pages)

Quick guide on COVID-19 working arrangements 16 June 2021 (PDF, 436 KB, 11 pages)

Quick guide on COVID-19 working arrangements 29 September 2021 (Word, 154 KB, 7 pages)

2020

HR circular 006 2020 - Contingency planning information required in respect of COVID-19 (PDF, 1.2 MB, 3 pages)

HR circular 008 2020 - Update to HR circular 007 2020 - collection of COVID 19 absence (PDF, 1.0 MB, 2 pages)

HR circular 009 2020 - Waiver of Pension Abatement (PDF, 917 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 009 2020 - Department of Health COVID-19 letter DPER abatement waiver extension July 2020 (PDF, 602 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 010 2020 - Advice for health care workers returning from Cheltenham Race Festival (PDF, 873 KB, 2 pages)

HR and Finance circular 011 2020 - Recruitment derrogation clarification COVID-19 (PDF, 1.2 MB, 2 pages)

HR circular 012 2020 - FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 March 2020 (PDF, 1.1 MB, 4 pages)

HR circular 013 2020 - Updated advice for healthcare workers during the delay phase (PDF, 781 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 014 2020 - Social distancing in the health sector (PDF, 319 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 015 2020 - Policy on redeployment of staff during COVID-19 (PDF, 319 KB, 1 page)

HR circular 016 2020 - Addendum to HSE HR circular 012 2020 (PDF, 615 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 017 2020 - Update social distancing in the health sector (PDF, 318 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 018 2020 - National collection of absence due to COVID-19 (PDF, 545 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 019 2020 - Essential service under new public health guidelines COVID-19 (PDF, 434 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 020 2020 - Revised occupational health information (PDF, 432 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 021 2020 - Guidelines on volunteers (PDF, 549 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 022 2020 - Temporary assignments in response to COVID-19 (PDF, 839 KB, 5 pages)

HR circular 023 2020 - Template agreement to redeploy section 39 staff to HSE and section 38 (PDF, 436 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 024 2020 - Employment permits system contingency arrangements (PDF, 613 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 026 2020 - Revision to redeployment policy during COVID-19 (PDF, 505 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 027 2020 - Updated FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 (PDF, 669 KB, 7 pages)

HR circular 028 2020 - New temporary grade codes final year nurse and midwife students (PDF, 612 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 029 2020 - Revised arrangements for change in contract requests during COVID-19 (PDF, 516 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 031 2020 - Revised redeployment policy (PDF, 222 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 032 2020 - COVID-19 transmission risk mitigation guidance (PDF, 297 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 033 2020 - Working arrangements for caring arrangements during COVID-19 (PDF, 344 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 034 2020 - Guidance COVID-19 working arrangements and temporary assignments (PDF, 1.0 MB, 10 pages)

HR circular 035 2020 - Pilot pre-retirement initiative for nurses and midwives during COVID-19 (PDF, 322 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 037 2020 - Regarding student radiographers (PDF, 316 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 038 2020 - New absence codes and change on absence reporting during COVID-19 (PDF, 444 KB, 4 pages)

HR circular 040 2020 - Sponsorship for public health service employees wishing to train as nurses or midwives (PDF, 468 KB, 9 pages)

HR circular 042 2020 - New guidance COVID-19 working arrangements and temporary assignments (PDF, 1.1 MB, 11 pages)

HR circular 044 2020 - Application of additional increments for new entrants (PDF, 449 KB, 6 pages)

HR circular 045 2020 - Updated FAQs working arrangements and leave COVID-19 (PDF, 1.2 MB, 13 pages)

HR circular 046 2020 - National Health and Safety Function advice and guidance (PDF, 598 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 047 2020 - Extension on Waiver of Abatement (PDF, 517 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 048 2020 - Sanction for the extension of temporary hiring of Student Nurse-Midwives (PDF, 256 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 049 2020 - Leave arrangements for employees (PDF, 319 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 050 2020 - Revised arrangements for change in contract (PDF, 513 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 052 2020 - FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 August 2020 (PDF, 927 KB, 12 pages)

HR circular 054 2020 - Implementation of Phase III job evaluation for support grades (PDF, 577 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 055 2020 - 4th year nursing interns grade code assignment (PDF, 487 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 056 2020 - HSE Policy Public Health Service Employees working from home COVID-19 (PDF, 507 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 057 2020 - FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 August 2020 (PDF, 925 KB, 13 pages)

HR circular 060 2020 - Guidance and FAQs for public service employers during COVID-19 (PDF, 928 KB, 14 pages)

HR circular 060 2020 - Guidance and FAQS for public service employers during COVID-19 August 2020 (PDF, 1.1 MB, 25 pages)

HR circular 062 2020 - Department of Health Code of Conduct (PDF, 319 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 062 2020 - Department of Health A Code of Conduct for Health and Social Service Providers May 2018 (PDF, 399 KB, 22 pages)

HR circular 064 2020 - Special leave with pay for COVID-19 (PDF, 536 KB, 3 pages)

HSE circular 065 2020 FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 November 2020 (PDF, 944 KB, 14 pages)

HR circular 069 2020 - Revised Redeployment Policy (PDF, 562 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 070 2020 - Grade codes of HCA student nurse/midwife year 1-3 and final year (year 4) nurse/midwife interns (PDF, 322 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 071 2020 - Revised arrangements for change in contract requests during COVID-19 (PDF, 257 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 072 2020 - Arrangements for health service employees in relation to travel overseas (PDF, 326 KB, 4 pages)

HR circular 072 2020 - FAQ for the public service on non-essential travel overseas July 2020 (PDF, 50 KB, 1 page)

HR circular 073 2020 - Application of special leave with pay for COVID-19 (PDF, 607 KB, 4 pages)

HR circular 074 2020 - FAQs working arrangements and leave associated with COVID-19 December 2020 (PDF, 941 KB, 15 pages)

Appendices

HR circular 012 2020 appendix A - Guide on self-isolation and self-quarantine notifications (PDF, 325 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 012 2020 appendix B - Guide for managers on self-isolation or self-quarantine (PDF, 312 KB, 1 page)

HR circular 029 2020 - appendix I Implementation guidance for Medical Manpower Managers (PDF, 521 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 029 2020 - appendix III consultant contract 2008 type A approval letter April 2020 (word, 27 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 034 2020 appendix A - Guidance and FAQs (PDF, 1.2 MB, 34 pages)

HR circular 034 2020 appendix B - Guidance and FAQs (PDF, 153 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 042 2020 appendix A - Updated guidance and FAQs (PDF, 1.3 MB, 39 pages)

HSE circular 052 2020 - DPER FAQ Appendix B (PDF, 425 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 074 2020 - appendix B procedure for employees and manager COVID-19 absences (PDF, 440 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 074 2020 - appendix C self-declaration form COVID-19 (PDF, 37 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 074 2020 - appendix D quick guide on working arrangements (PDF, 503 KB, 8 pages)

Communication to civil and public service on delay phase of COVID-19 March 2020 (PDF, 124 KB, 1 page)

Communication to each nursing and midwifery internship student 14 April 2020 (PDF, 243 KB, 2 pages)

COVID-19 employment permits system contingency arrangements 30 March 2020 (PDF, 1.2 MB, 8 pages)

COVID-19 transmission risk mitigation guidance 21 April 2020 (PDF, 233 KB, 4 pages)

DPER guidance about working arrangements and temporary assignments 9 April 2020 (PDF, 1.3 MB, 33 pages)

DPER guidance about working arrangements and temporary assignments 15 June 2020 (PDF, 1.5 MB, 41 pages)

Department of Health Circular 6 2020 - Extension of waiver of abatement for specific frontline health care workers (PDF, 128 KB, 2 pages)

DPER FAQS for public service employers September 2020 (PDF, 1.1 MB, 33 pages)

DPER Guidance and FAQs 30 July 2020 Appendix A (PDF, 1.6 KB, 26 pages)

DPER Guidance and FAQs for public service employers during COVID-19 October 2020 (PDF, 956 KB 38 pages)

DPER quick guide on COVID-19 working arrangements October 2020 (PDF, 522 KB, 6 pages)

FAQS for public service employers during COVID-19 March 2020 (PDF, 1.6 KB, 18 pages)

Guidance and FAQs for public service employers during COVID-19 Appendix A December 2020 (PDF, 1.1 MB, 42 pages)

Guidance derogation return to work healthcare workers essential critical services December 2020 (PDF, 845 KB, 8 pages)

Guide for employees on self-isolation and restricted movement notifications (PDF, 178 KB, 2 pages)

Guide for managers when notified of COVID-19 self-isolation or restricted movement (PDF, 190 KB, 2 pages)

Guidelines on engaging and managing volunteers COVID-19 1 April 2020 (PDF, 471 KB, 8 pages)

HSE policy on public health service employees working from home during COVID-19 2020 (PDF, 560 KB, 14 pages)

Implementation guidance for medical manpower managers (PDF, 181 KB, 2 pages)

Interim guidance Coronavirus healthcare worker management by Occupational Health December 2020 (PDF, 1.9 MB, 28 pages)

Policy on redeployment of staff during COVID-19 infection November 2020 (PDF, 858 KB, 8 pages)

Policy on redeployment of staff during COVID-19 - 19 March 2020 (PDF, 255 KB, 4 pages)

Policy on redeployment of staff during COVID-19 - 8 April 2020 (PDF, 258 KB, 4 pages)

Revised policy on redeployment of staff during COVID-19 infection 21 April 2020 (PDF, 262 KB, 4 pages)

Summary advice regarding healthcare worker close contacts March 2020 (PDF, 409 KB, 2 pages)

Summary of advice for healthcare workers post international travel March 2020 (PDF, 408 KB, 2 pages)

Template letter identifying essential healthcare worker 29 March 2020 (PDF, 96 KB, 1 page)

Temporary assignment scheme information 19 March 2020 (PDF, 160 KB, 2 pages)

Pre-2020

HR circular 003 2009 - Extended working day or week (PDF, 86 KB, 12 pages)

HR circular 003 2011 - Amendment to parental leave arrangements age limits (PDF, 33 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 005 2009 - Standardisation of terms and conditions of employment (PDF, 37 KB, 1 page)

HR circular 006 2013 - Amendment to parental leave entitlements (PDF, 40 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 006 2014 - Standardisation of annual leave arrangements for new entrants (PDF, 53 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 008 2012 - Accrual of annual leave during sick leave (PDF, 42 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 010 2013 - Career break scheme (PDF, 62 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 011 2012 - Standardisation of annual leave arrangements (PDF, 53 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 013 2019 - Implementation of amendments to maternity protection acts - premature births (PDF, 375 KB, 4 pages)

HR circular 017 2019 - Parental leave amendment act 2019 (PF, 189 KB, 2 pages)

HR circular 018 2016 - Temporary contracts for posts at a higher grade (PDF, 349 KB, 6 pages)

HR circular 020 2013 - New public service sick leave scheme (PDF, 56 KB, 3 pages)

HR circular 023 2015 – Shorter working year scheme (PDF, 293 KB, 6 pages)

HR circular 029 2019 - Bereavement leave revised arrangements (PDF, 951 KB, 4 pages)

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