Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I raise this issue not only in regard to pay levels being reviewed, but also in the context of the number of people working in certain areas. Many areas have been pared to the bone and a worker can only take that for so long. The first year one does extra hours, puts in the time and does more for less. After two, three or four years, it becomes a burden that is very hard to bear. I know the embargo has been lifted in respect of gardaí, nurses, architects, planners and so on. Dublin City Council, for example, has lost jobs. In 2008, it had 7,500 employees but the number is down to 4,800. That has an impact on areas such as maintenance. A major issue we are coming across every day of the week is the ability of local authorities to maintain their own properties. Is the Minister looking at that angle also? How does he see that developing? Will he lift the moratorium in general?

See this speech in context