The Health Service Executive has announced that it is to cut over €40m in allowances and other payments to 4,800 junior hospital doctors with effect from today.
The cuts are being implemented following a failure to reach agreement on the issue during talks with the Irish Medical Organisation at the Labour Relations Commission.
Over 3,000 junior doctors, who are members of the IMO, have already voted for industrial action if the HSE implemented the measures without agreement.
The HSE said it had to implement the measures because of the serious budgetary challenge it faces and the need to introduce shorter working hours under EU and Irish law.
Ending paid overtime during lunch breaks will save €25m while cutting a range of allowances will also save €18.5m.
