There will be widespread disruption across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath today.
Public sector workers across the country are taking to the picket lines this morning.
The action, which forms part of an ongoing pay dispute, is the largest mobilisation of union workers in decades.
Up to two thousand picket lines will be manned at hospitals, schools, county councils, courts and more across the country throughout the day.
More than 23,000 teachers are striking.
Offaly's Michael Gillespie, TUI General Secretary says they heard nothing from the Government, before the announcement of the strike:
The HSE is warning people to expect "significant and widespread disruption" to its services in the Midlands.
All elective, day services and outpatient healthcare services across hospitals and community settings are being cancelled.
Home support care will continue for people with the highest care needs but other visits may be rescheduled.
While emergency departments and ambulance services will operate at reduced capacity.
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, is reassuring people emergency care remains in place in hospitals:
These Midlands healthcare workers say they're fed up with how they're being treated:
Healthcare workers demonstrating outside the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore
Strikes began at midnight at local authority facilities, with members working in ambulance services, universities, fire services and State agencies to join the work stoppage over the coming hours.
SIPTU and FORSA picket lines outside Mullingar County Council buidlings
Some driving tests have been cancelled, schools are closed, heritage sites operated by the OPW are shut and there's no Dáil sitting.
Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann drivers aren't striking, but services may be disrupted as drivers can't pass picket lines.
Today's strike action comes after union leaders rejected the government's offer of Workplace Relations Commission talks this week, with a second day of action planned for next Wednesday.
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