Nursing staff at St Ita's psychiatric hospital in Portane, North Dublin are to ballot for industrial action, in protest at the growing impact of staff shortages.

A statement from the Psychiatric Nurses' Association said staff cutbacks at the hospital's unit for intellectual disability have made the situation "intolerable" for staff and clients.

A spokesperson said there are a growing number of staff looking for transfers due to stress levels, low morale and lack of management support within St Joseph's Centre for Intellectual Disability.

440 staff members are to vote over the next two days for industrial action, up to and including a strike.