Unfair attacks on public service

HERE we go again.

Scrap the Croke Park Agreement. More attacks on the men and women who work in the service of the people of Ireland. And these attacks coming from well-paid, €100K-a-year-plus, ‘freelance’ journalists and other commentators who are not subject to the PAYE income tax system and who are wealthy enough to engage accountants to enable them to avoid paying income tax.

Of course the attacks are not made directly against “frontline staff” (and rightly so) but against the so-called “backroom” staff or administrators and general operatives within the health, rescue and security services.

Now when I visit a doctor or a hospital, public or private, the first people I meet are the administration staff, the record keepers. When admitted to hospital I am serviced by many people of various professions and skills who are important for my recovery and well-being.

Is has been suggested that these jobs be done away with or scaled down and if so who will do this work? Will the doctor or nurse be expected to take on board clerical work and record keeping, cleaning and cooking duties, security and maintenance duties? Will they also be expected to do radiology and physiotherapy work too?

And, what about the men and women engaged in all the other departments so important to the well-being of the citizens and the State they serve be they occupied in revenue, welfare, justice, defence, agriculture, environment, local government etc? How far can their numbers or working hours be cut before they can no longer provide an efficient service to the general public and state?

Also, those calling for the cessation of pay increments do not know or understand that by paying wages by annual increment is in itself a saving on the payroll as the worker does not attain his or her full rate of pay for the job for a number of years.

Are they being asked to take a further cut in pay or top of the 14% pay cut they have already sacrificed?

Des Hughes

Donaghmede

Dublin 13