Public Pay Talks - see mod warning post 4293

There has been London Weighting in place in the UK for a century. It's under pressure at the minute due to hybrid working but the fact remains if you want low to middle salaried essential public sector workers to work in Dublin the additional costs of living in the Capital need to be recognized. It'll never happen though because of the usual 'one for everyone in the audience approach' that we take to public sector pay in this country. Once one cohort get something everyone else wants something similar.

I am yet to see a family who, due to working in the Public Sector, are obliged to send their kids to University in Dublin. It's conflating two separate issues and is of no relevance to the argument for a Dublin allowance.

It still shouldn't apply. The housing costs of children of employees are not the employer's responsibility.

You're also assuming all Dublin kids go to college in Dublin. I have friends with kids in college in NUIG, Carlow and the UK.

Don't students from further away from the colleges get higher grants anyway?

You could make an argument for an increase in SUSI grants for kids going to college in Dublin- something which may actually be achievable and more appropriate.

If they're not entitled to grants, then they can make an argument for a higher ceiling in the means test. A living in Dublin allowance for employees, should not be extended to their children!

All this is getting totally away from what such an allowance would be meant for.

Its meant to attract staff to take up vacancies and work in Dublin.

Personally, I think it should strictly be a "rent allowance" and only go to those working in Dublin, and paying Dublin rental prices. Which also means I wouldn't get it!

It would not be introduced based soley on cost of living differences, even though it is already recognised that everything costs more in Dublin.

It would be introduced based on the obstacle that is the cost of rental accommodation in the greater Dublin area, and the difficulty of recruiting and retaining staff due to that higher cost - which is becoming more and more pronounced.

As I said, I am in favour of an allowance paid to assist with rent, rather than a "Living in Dublin" allowance.

I wouldn't qualify for it, even though I live and work in Dublin, because I already have a house and don't have to rent.

But I don't see it as any skin off my nose if someone else does get it, so they can afford to rent a place to live here.

But it would be your vote, to use as you see fit.

Can we bring this back on topic? The upcoming pay talks, if starting later this month, what do people think is likely, over what duration, and what's your ŕeasoning for thinking so.

A Dublin allowance is not going to be part of these pay talks so is not relevant to this discussion.

If there is a budget in October 2024, I would expect a general election straight after that. I don't think they will wait until January or February 2025. Waiting to February 2025 has the advantage of people seeing any tax changes in their pay slips.

I don't see them doing a three year deal, doing tbr dirty work for the next government isn't going to be appealing. Hence why I could see a 18 month or max 24 month deal.

I would also see it being front loaded to gain benefits in polls and election time. Also, an 18 month deal, would mean the next government having to negotiate with Unions in a matter of a few months in government.

I spent most of my life living in Dublin.i know exactly what the transport system is like. Eve at 2 busses, it's 2 busses more than I have.

If you lived in Dublin most of your life, it was obviously your choice to relocate to small rural village without even a bus service. No point complaining about it now.

Then be happy in your choice, instead of begrudging others who may get some help.

Have you even read my posts?

Here, let me quote for you.

Your reasoning is even worse than I thought.

So a renter gets it but someone subject to higher interest rates on their mortgage doesn't 🤣