Taxpayer to foot €120k HSE staff disturbance fee

TAXPAYERS will have to pay a once-off €120,000 lump sum to 60 HSE workers whose jobs are being moved from north Cork to the city as the distance is just marginally further than what is allowed under the Croke Park agreement.

The Labour Court has ruled that workers at the Heatherside Hospital in Buttevant are entitled to the disturbance fee in order to cover their extra travel costs.

Under HSE plans, the north Cork positions will be moved to Heather House on the St Mary’s Orthopaedic campus in Gurranabraher in Cork city.