Labour Court rejects HSE nurses’ location allowance claim

The Labour Court recommended against a location allowance for about 60 imaging nurses in radiology departments at the Health Service Executive, saying earlier reviews had not found the departments qualified and the evidence did not show particular recruitment or retention difficulties. The recommendation was signed on 23 August 2005. The Irish Nurses Organisation argued that the working environment and increased emergency on-call work made the departments difficult to staff. The HSE said the duties were no more onerous than in other nursing areas. The Court also noted management’s support for a higher diploma course in radiology nursing. A separate claim for full theatre on-call arrangements was not referred to the Court and was not considered.