The H-S-E has said an EU-wide shortage of nursing and social care staff is making it difficult to recruit personel to fill shortages in Irish health facilities.

But, it says it hopes to hire enough staff to prevent the closure of the Aras Attracta care home in Swinford, County Mayo.

The Health and Quality Authority had proposed closing one of the Mayo-facility's units, over concerns about staffing and governance.

Elsewhere, members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association have voted in favour of industrial action at St Ita's Hospital in Portrane, north Dublin, in protest at staff shortages.

The action will start on Friday August 21st and could include a strike.

Liam Doran from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, said there is lack of nurses across Europe, but enough are being trained in Ireland, if we could just hang on to them: