Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the categories of worker in the Public Service whole standard working week exceeds 35 hours; and if the approach of cost neutral reductions in working hours is a viable public policy for those activities. [23633/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The following grades in the public service are working in excess of a net 35 hours week:

Health Services

Ambulance, Support Staff, Nurses, Child Care, Craftworkers, General Operatives and related grades.

Local Authorities

Firemen, Craftworkers, General Operatives and related grades.

Education

Technical Officers in Institutes of Technology, Craftworkers, General Operatives and related grades.

Justice

Prison Officers and Gardaí

State Industrial Employees

Craftworkers, Stores, General Operatives and related grades.

Any reduction in the standard working week for any of the above groups could only be considered on a cost neutral basis and would have to reflect the requirement to maintain service provision. The settlement of the nurses' dispute earlier this year provided for a reduction in the working week from 39 hours to 37.5 hours on a cost neutral basis by June 2008. A further reduction to 35 hours is the subject of a seven person commission, under the chairmanship of Ms. Justice Maureen Harding Clark, who are due to present their report in mid 2008. The Labour Court recommended some time ago that, if there was to be any reduction in the working week, nurses should be the first group to benefit. Developments in other areas will have to await the outcome of the position on nurses.