The Fórsa, INMO and SIPTU trade unions are to attend the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on 17 April for talks aimed at resolving a dispute over pay in the community and voluntary health and care sector.
Last week the unions served fresh pay claims on a number of employers in the sector.
Several one-day strikes were held at community, voluntary and healthcare organisations across the country last year as part of a campaign demanding better pay and conditions.
Unions say that health and social care professionals employed in agencies funded by the HSE are paid significantly less than equivalent workers employed directly by the HSE and other state bodies.
"Section 39" organisations are contracted to provide services on behalf of the HSE for a funding grant in accordance with Section 39 of the Health Act 2004.
The Department of Health has previously said that because such organisations are privately owned, setting pay rates for their staff is not a matter for the Government.
Fórsa national secretary Ashley Connolly said that they welcome the opportunity to enter conciliation talks at the WRC.
"The unions continue to work together on this issue and remain determined to secure a just and sustainable solution to the pay disparities for specialist staff in this sector," Ms Connolly said.
The unions said they expect the relevant Government departments to attend the talks and to focus on finding a solution.
"The Health Minister acknowledged in the Dáil last October that the Government is the 'main and often sole funder' of these organisations, and that its funding affects the ability of agencies to improve pay and conditions," SIPTU divisional organiser Kevin Figgis said.
The INMO's director of industrial relations Albert Murphy said they welcomed the news last week that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Health, confirmed they would attend the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) along with the HSE, in future conciliation talks.
"We remain determined to engage on the basis of making sure these agencies are sustainably funded and that the drift on pay and conditions is finally reversed after almost 15 years," Mr Murphy said.
