Sir, – The decision of the HSE to delay legitimate travel expense reimbursements due for payment to staff in December should be utterly condemned.
Staff, such as public health nurses, who are obliged to provide their own car in order to carry out their duties, are fully entitled to expect that reimbursement in accordance with agreed rates will be paid in a timely manner. Reimbursement of fuel and related expenses are not part of the pay of these individuals.
With all the publicity surrounding the extraordinary pension arrangements granted to high-ranking public servants, following minimal periods of service, it is a gross insult to front line staff in a critical service such as this to attempt to delay reimbursement for legitimate expenses which they have already paid for out of their own pockets. – Yours, etc,