Ms Geraldine Tallon:

It is a cost-effective way of dealing with a particular issue in a local area. A large local authority such as Dublin City Council would face completely different circumstances. In my opening statement I mentioned the question of working in the Dublin sewer system. A number of allowances apply to persons working in that system, for example, where one works at a depth below 10 feet or for brickwork repair. It is dangerous and difficult work and a problematic area in which to work. It is a small allowance which would not have relevance in other areas.

The pattern of allowances in local government is varied. In many cases, particularly in those in which we stated we would forward a business case, one can see they are paid for difficult jobs involving unsocial hours and arduous work and they are deserved. It is also cost-effective in getting particular work done.