Ireland’s 14 October public-service strike: what will close

Ireland’s 24-hour public-service strike on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, will close many schools, cancel non-urgent HSE care and suspend most court business. Emergency healthcare will remain available, while public transport is expected to operate.

Around 300,000 teachers, health workers, civil servants and other public servants are due to take part. A second strike day is currently planned for Wednesday, 21 October.

What is closed or cancelled on 14 October?

If you have an HSE appointment

You do not need to contact the HSE. Health teams are trying to reach patients and will reschedule cancelled appointments as soon as possible.

Home-support care will continue for people with the highest care needs and those who are most vulnerable. Other visits may be rearranged where it is clinically safe.

What healthcare remains available?

Emergency departments will remain open. Ambulance services will operate at reduced capacity, so delays are possible and the most urgent cases will be prioritised. Urgent cancer treatment, dialysis and other critical care will continue.

In an emergency, call 999 or 112 or attend an emergency department. The HSE says patients should not delay seeking urgent help.

Injury units, GP services, GP out-of-hours services and community pharmacies are expected to remain available. An injury unit may be suitable for a recent, non-life-threatening injury such as a suspected broken bone, dislocation or minor burn.

Will schools be open?

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation has directed all members to take part in the 14 October strike. The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland says its members will picket all second-level schools where they teach. Fórsa members across education are also taking part.

Parents and guardians should check the most recent message from their own school or childcare provider, particularly where local arrangements or non-union staff may affect opening.

What happens to court cases?

The Courts Service says courts and public counters will not operate on 14 October, with limited exceptions for:

• emergency domestic-violence and childcare applications;
• Garda applications to remand an accused person in custody where station bail has not been granted; and
• High Court injunctions needed to protect life, health, safety or welfare.

District Court cases are generally being adjourned to the next sitting in the same district, unless a judge directs another date. The Courts Service is publishing case-specific updates and will notify parties when rescheduled dates are available.

Will buses and trains run?

Public transport is expected to be unaffected, Reuters reported. Travellers should still check their operator’s live service information before setting out because unrelated delays can occur.

Is there another strike planned?

Unions currently plan a second 24-hour stoppage for Wednesday, 21 October. Operational details may change, so anyone with a hospital appointment, school commitment or court date should check the relevant official service closer to the day.

Official information

• HSE: work stoppage on 14 October
• HSE: service disruption update
• Courts Service: arrangements for 14 October
• INTO: strike dates
• ASTI: industrial action information
• Fórsa: national strike questions and answers
• Reuters: national strike overview

Featured image: Archive photograph of an HSE National Ambulance Service vehicle in Dublin, 2010. Heggyhomolit via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.