Shocking new figures show there were almost 9,300 assaults on HSE staff last year - an average of over 25 a day.
Details released to The Irish Mirror, under the Freedom of Information Act, show 6,844 were physical and 2,371 were verbal.
There were also 40 sexual assaults.
READ MORE - Irish nurses under attack as they face stab threats, being spat at and verbally abused at work
The total for 2022 - 9,255 - is a 9 per cent increase from 2021, when 8,478 were recorded.
Nurses were targeted the most last year. They were the victims of almost half of the assaults, with 4,595 formally reported.
David Hall, the chief executive of Lifeline Ambulance Service, says the figures are 'very disturbing'.
"There's two categories of assault," he said.
"One are thugs. Then there are unfortunately a smaller number of unwell patients who have violent episodes, and that's very tragic and a risk involved in the job.
"But, for the thugs, and those who are misbehaving, especially who do so on a repeated basis, there must be compulsory sentences."
The government plans to increase the maximum prison sentence for assaulting an emergency worker, including hospital staff, from seven to 12 years.
The cabinet approved the proposal on Tuesday, but Mr Hall believes even tougher action is needed.
"There must be a minimum sentence given to anybody who impedes the work of an emergency worker," he said.
"There must be consequences for that, particularly for somebody who is a repeat offender.
"We see every year people throwing rocks at fire engines - what the hell is that about?
"Interfering with the treatment of patients by verbally or physically assaulting frontline staff is reprehensible, and completely unacceptable.
"These are people who are attempting to help people and save lives. We all need them to be fit and well and safe.
"We can't, as a society, tolerate thugs who cause injury, illness, trauma and distress."
High numbers of assaults were recorded throughout the country last year, including 987 in Donegal/Sligo/Leitrim/Cavan/Monaghan, and 811 in Cork and Kerry.
Fine Gael's justice spokesman in the Seanad, Barry Ward, says the government is taking a broad range of actions.
"We have the Criminal Justice Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, going through the Seanad at the moment, which will both increase the maximum sentence for assault causing harm from five years to 10 years, and mark the specific offence of an assault on an emergency worker," said the criminal barrister.
"There is a clear message going out to people that when dealing with workers who are doing their best for all of us, there will be no tolerance for assaults against them."
The HSE said ensuring the safety of employees and service-users is a priority.
It added: "The HSE is committed to creating a safe environment within which to work or to be treated.
"The organisation will continue to place an emphasis on the management of work-related aggression and violence."
READ NEXT:
- Dundalk woman found face down in blood named as gardaí identify 'person of interest' in murder probe
- GAA accused of 'losing the plot' over decision to put matches behind GAAGO paywall
- RTE star Tommy Tiernan and wife share €1.2 million pay packet amid chat show and podcast success
- Householders told to 'conserve' water amid ongoing warm and dry spell of weather
- Man set to be sentenced for €1.5m drugs find claims he suffered 'breakdown' after gangster brother's death
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
