Labour Court rejects HSE allowance claim for 33 public health assistant directors

The Labour Court has recommended that the HSE need not concede a claim by 33 Assistant Directors Of Public Health for an annual €2,716 Location Allowance. The recommendation, dated 29 July 2025, followed a hearing on 25 July. The INMO argued the allowance should cover the assistant directors under the relevant nursing circulars, saying its refusal created inequality and discouraged promotion. The HSE argued the claim was cost-increasing and should be pursued through local bargaining under the Public Service Agreement. The Court noted the circular made no reference to the Assistant Director grade, a point the INMO accepted at the hearing. It said it generally upholds collective agreements and that parties should honour them unless they renegotiate or end them by agreement.