Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on introducing a Dublin weighting allowance of 10% for doctors and nurses; the expected cost thereof; her views on whether it is likely, if she introduced such an allowance, other health services staff would seek such an allowance; the expected cost of such an allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43032/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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A claim for Dublin weighting allowance for nurses and midwives was one of number of claims heard by the Labour Court on 20 June 2006. It was estimated that concession of this claim to nurses would have cost in excess of €50m per annum. The Court issued its recommendation on 9 November 2006. The Court did not recommend concession of the claim for a Dublin weighting allowance. I have no doubt that if a Dublin weighting allowance were to be conceded to nurses that all other health service grades would seek a similar allowance. I would also expect knock-on claims from the wider public service. It is estimated that providing a weighting allowance to all health service employees in Dublin would cost approximately €144m per annum. If such an allowance were extended to other Dublin based public servants the estimated cost would increase to approximately €252m per annum.