The Labour Relations Commission has agreed to chair talks between trade unions representing staff in the Louth/Meath Hospital Group and the Heath Service Executive.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said the LRC had agreed to the talks to try and resolve the dispute over HSE plans to introduce major cuts in staffing and close hospital beds.
The HSE said the measures were necessary to reduce the size of the overspend being incurred in the Louth/Meath Group.
The group is made up of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk, and Our Lady's Hospital in Navan.
The HSE says the deficit could be around €20m by the end of this year unless action is taken.
The INMO said the measures will remove 400 posts, reduce services, as well as close 50 hospital beds and theatres.
Some of the closures are temporary, while 34 bed closures are permanent.
The unions also claim that patients' lives will be put at risk if the cuts are implemented.
Announcing the cuts on Monday, the HSE said they were introducing them on a phased basis starting this Saturday.
The INMO said the management moves are in breach of the Croke Park Agreement and the Protection of Employees (Information and Consultation) Act 2006.
The HSE has been formally invited to attend talks.
