More than 100,000 public sector workers in areas such as health, education and local authorities have begun industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule.
Nurses, civil servants and special needs assistants are among those taking part in the action over delays in agreeing a new public sector pay deal.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said the work-to-rule means that its members in the public health service will perform only duties and responsibilities necessary for safe patient care during their rostered hours.
"INMO members will not work any additional unpaid hours," the union said.
"They will not attend non-clinical meetings, except where attendance is strictly necessary for direct patient care," the INMO added.
The action will also involve Fórsa, the country's largest public sector union, and will see special needs assistants, health workers, civil servants and local authority employees refuse to do additional work outside of their normal duties.
"The last public service pay agreement expired at the end of June," said Fórsa General Secretary, and chair of ICTU's Public Services Committee, Kevin Callinan.
"Attempts to engage on a successor agreement came to nothing because of the Government's steadfast refusal to address cost-of-living pressures at the outset."
"That refusal has made this industrial action inevitable," Mr Callinan said.
SIPTU members in health and local authorities are also engaging in work-to-rules today.
"Our members are demanding a fair pay agreement that reflects the economic reality facing workers and provides real protection for directly delivered public health services," said Kevin Figgis, SIPTU health divisional head.
"The Government must now engage seriously with workers’ representatives and address these legitimate concerns before this dispute escalates further," Mr Figgis said.
Other public sector unions will commence industrial action over the coming days ahead of two planned strikes next month on 14 and 21 October.
Public sector unions have accused the Government of failing to make a meaningful offer on pay.
The previous public sector pay deal expired on 30 June, and formal talks have yet to begin on a successor agreement.
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Taoiseach says industrial action should not go ahead
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told the Dáil that "there should not be this industrial action" by public sector workers.
"I think the union should call off the industrial action," he said. "There is no need for this
strike action - it's causing unnecessary disruption.
"Let's have a bit of common sense here now. There will be a public service pay offer. It's well known. We're open to negotiations.
"We're open. We've invited the unions in. There should not be this industrial action, in my view."
The Department of Public Expenditure said unions and representative associations have made a decision to move to industrial action rather than engaging in substantive talks.
"It is deeply unfair on the general public for there to be significant disruption to their daily lives because unions are unwilling to sit down and engage constructively on a new agreement," a spokesperson said.
"Officials remain ready and willing to engage and that should happen without any further delay.
"Meaningful progress can only be achieved where both parties are open to constructive and sustained engagement, without preconditions on either side," the department added.
Chambers says new pay deal will be addressed in Budget
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said that his department officials are willing to meet trade unions regarding public sector pay talks, or are open to begin a process with the WRC to get discussions under way.
Mr Chambers said that it was key to avoid unnecessary disruptions for people who use public services.
The minister said the escalation is unfair on those who use public services, and said the Government is willing to get an agreed and negotiated outcome with improved pay and conditions.
"It's very different to other industrial actions," he said.
He said that the challenge is that the trade unions decided to pursue a course of industrial action rather than talking and engaging in substantive discussions to work through the respective issues.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One programme, Mr Chambers said that a new public sector pay deal, tax adjustments and improving affordability of services that workers rely on will be addressed in the Budget, as part of a wide variety of measures to tackle the cost of living.
He added that the Government wants to continue to pay public servants properly through properly through agreed negotiated pay frameworks.
"What we’ve had here is a pursuit of industrial action rather than getting around the table and engaging in talks.
"The Government wants to have those talks, we’ve been repeating that for the last number of weeks while trade unions decided to ballot their members.
"My officials are ready and able today or any day to commence those discussions or to use the expert advisory services of the WRC .
"We want to ensure that the continued growth of public services is enhanced in 2027.
"The deal has to be safe, sustainable and affordable and within our wider fiscal parameters."
Oireachtas work likely to be impacted
Work at the Houses of the Oireachtas is likely to be impacted by a work-to-rule from over 100,000 public sector workers.
In a note to TDs and Senators, Clerk of the Dáil and Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachats Services Elaine Gunn said Dáil and Seanad sittings as well as committee hearings could be affected by the action.
"Anticipated impacts include reduced staffing support for Dáil and Seanad sittings, delays in the publication of Official Reports, Written Parliamentary Questions, legislative processing, and Library & Research Service outputs," the note stated.
"Committee operations may also be affected through reduced clerk availability, limited support for late meetings, delays in legislation processing, legal advice, Official Reports, Committee reports, and the absence of out-of-hours support for Members," it continued.
There may also be reduced ushering and tour services, ICT support and Press Office services available in Leinster House.
Staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas Services are primarily represented by Fórsa and the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants.
The note also warns of potential "further disruption to services as matters progress".
The current programme of action by public sector workers includes a work-to-rule commencing today, 30 September as well as potential National Days of Action on 14 and 21 October.
