Massive disruption is expected across Ireland as public services shut down in a national strike over pay cuts.

More than a quarter of a million public workers are staging a walk-out - thought to be the biggest in 30 years - despite signs unions are preparing to restart talks with the Government.

Hospitals, schools, social welfare offices and local authorities will be closed during the one-day action over plans to slash 1.3 billion euro from the public sector wage bill.

Flood relief workers and emergency staff in Clare, Galway and Cork will continue working to deal with the worst flooding in living memory in parts of the west and south.

Union leaders also vowed that critical medical services, including intensive, elderly and maternity care as well as cancer services would not be affected, but thousands of hospital appointments, planned admissions and surgery have been cancelled.

Accident and emergency services are being staffed by local strike committees who will judge the needs of patients on the day, according to Liam Doran of the Irish Nurses Organisation.

Congress - the umbrella organisation for trade unions - insisted a blueprint for an overhaul of the public sector handed to them on Friday night by the Government had come too late to halt the 24-hour stoppage.

Peter McLoone, chairman of the Congress public services committee, said the document did not carry guarantees being sought by the unions, but he signalled it could form the basis of renewed negotiations with the Government, starting as early as Wednesday.

The industrial action is expected to wreak major disruption on health services, education, local authority services, government departments and the courts. Semi-state companies including bus and rail services will not be affected.

Although the Garda is forbidden by law from striking, members have been advised by the Garda Representative Association they don't need to issue penalty point or fixed charge notices to motorists. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors urged members to avoid overtime or extra administrative duties.

PA Media