Schools and hospitals due to limit output as strike set to go ahead on Wednesday

The strike will be the largest in the state since the financial crash.

The government is still calling for a halt the all-out strike on Wednesday, and reiterate the invitation to talks.

The Dáil will not sit as ushers and other staff in the Oireachtas are members of the public sector unions, some schools will close and around 150,000 medical appointments will be cancelled on Wednesday.

The HSE confirmed on Sunday night that it is currently planning for the cancellation of all non-urgent healthcare services.

It said it has now begun to contact affected patients directly

"The HSE is currently planning for the cancellation of all non-urgent healthcare services across hospitals and community settings on Wednesday, 14 October," a statement said.

"This includes routine hospital procedures, outpatient appointments, community-based services, such as day services, clinics in primary care services and other scheduled care services. HSE administrative services will also be impacted by this work stoppage on 14 October.

Healthcare teams have now begun to contact affected patients directly. All appointments will be rescheduled as soon as possible."

It is understood that neither side engaged with the other this weekend or made any progress towards clearing the impasse to talks that could resolve the pay dispute.

Higher Education Minister James Laeless said on RTÉ's The Week In Politics, said the Government had committed €1.2bn to a new deal and that there is "a table waiting" for unions, with whom he had "great sympathy".

"The State is a good employer," he said.

"The average wage of a public sector worker is far higher than that of a private sector worker".

“What I’d say to the union leadership is: 'Come in and talk. Come in to the table. There’s a table waiting for you, and Government is ready to meet you.'”