Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Phase 4 of the job evaluation scheme for HSE support staff, the results of which were announced last October, provides an upgrade in salary and status for the following categories of workers, among others: caretakers, barbers, hairdressers, general operatives and even labourers. However, among those who were not upgraded and who were forced to remain within the same wage structure are laundry workers, household staff, domestic staff and cleaners. On the face of it, this seems bizarre, if not downright discriminatory. Is there any appeal mechanism for those people who are aggrieved by the decision so as to have their case reheard? Is there any mechanism whereby their case could be reopened and further considered?

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