The Sligo Champion

Calls for lifeguard payrise

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CLLR Declan Bree has called for a pay rise for lifeguards.

He made the call at the July Council meeting earlier this month.

He told members that they held “very responsibl­e positions” and were “in essence, first responders.”

“They are generally expected to safeguard the public.

“However in my opinion the rate of pay and the recognitio­n fo the role our Lifeguards play leave a lot to be desired,” he said.

“Given the significan­t responsibi­lity they carry and the important role they play in our lives, I believe that they deserve more than ¤11 or ¤12 an hour,” he told members as he called for a review of their remunerati­on.

Council Chief Executive Ciarán Hayes said the lifeguards pay was an matter “purely for the Executive.”

“This is not a matter for members. The issue of pay has a whole industrial process around it,” he told Cllr Bree.

Cllr Bree replied that he fully appreciate­d that view but added that he hoped there would be a nationwide increase into lifeguards pay.

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