The HSE will come under pressure today to end the disparity in financial aid for support workers in the HSE who have been the victim of an assault at work.

Health professionals like doctors and nurses receive significantly more financial support from the HSE when assaulted compared to support workers.

Figures provided by the HSE show support staff, which includes healthcare assistants, porters, catering, cleaning and security staff, are the second biggest category impacted by serious physical assaults in the workplace after nurses, but they receive much less financial support. 

SIPTU representatives will raise the disparity at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health today.

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Kevin Figgis says the current policy is outdated and needs to be changed...