High levels of absenteeism among staff at an acute hospital in Dublin is placing "extreme pressures" on the hospital's budget, it has emerged.
In a circular to staff at St Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown, management have warned that instances of absenteeism at all levels in the hospital has reached "disproportionate levels".
The circular, seen by The Irish Times, states that it is almost always necessary to replace staff who are absent and "this is placing extreme pressure on an already over-stretched financial position".
It added that "additional pressures are also being brought to bear on staff in instances where colleagues are absent and no substitute is available".
The letter was signed by the hospital manager, Mr Tom Mernagh, and the director of nursing, Ms Barbara Mennis.
"Should the current level of absenteeism continue, it will inevitably lead to a very serious financial over-run for this hospital.
"This in turn will lead to a very critical analysis of current service levels and possible corrective actions necessary in order to achieve budgetary targets," they wrote.
"While excessive absenteeism will be dealt with on a personal basis with the individuals concerned, a collective effort on the part of all employees would have a very positive effect on our current levels of service to our patients," they added.
A spokesman for the East Coast Area Health Board said there were approximately 500 staff at the hospital but he did not have figures on the actual numbers of staff who were absent on a regular basis.
He said the circular stemmed from current financial constraints and the health board was attempting to "tighten up" wherever it could.