Dáil Éireann - Volume 99 - 14 February, 1946

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Improvement Schemes.

Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan

Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider increasing the wages of workers employed on road improvement schemes; the abolition of rotational employment in order to encourage these schemes; and if he will state the wages paid to workers under the schemes.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr. Smith) Patrick Smith

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr. Smith): The rates of wages paid on schemes to which the Deputy refers in his question are determined by the wages payable by local authorities and also the wages fixed by the Agricultural Wages Board.

As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to his question on the 11th October last.

Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan

Mr. Flanagan: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the County of Laoighis rural improvement schemes cannot be put into operation simply because workers cannot be got—rightly so, on account of the very low wages paid? Would he consider increasing the wages of workers employed on road improvement schemes in order to encourage more use of the rural improvement schemes?

Mr. Smith Mr. Smith

Mr. Smith: The Parliamentary Secretary is aware that there is a shortage of rural labour in many areas, but I do not think the purpose the Deputy has in mind would be served by taking the course he suggests.

General Mulcahy General Mulcahy

969

[969] General Mulcahy: I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether any general consideration has been given by the Government to the question of increasing the wages paid by the various local authorities and also the wages paid in connection with the various schemes under his Department?

Mr. Smith Mr. Smith

Mr. Smith: That is a very wide question, and one under which a long discussion could take place.

General Mulcahy General Mulcahy

General Mulcahy: I am only asking whether any general consideration is being given by the Government to that question.

Mr. Smith Mr. Smith

Mr. Smith: And I have answered the Deputy. I am answering the question as best I can.

Mr. D. Morrissey Mr. D. Morrissey

Mr. D. Morrissey: Is it the policy that the minimum wage for all agricultural workers should also be the maximum wage? Is not that the policy at the moment?

Mr. Smith Mr. Smith

Mr. Smith: The policy at the moment is that rates of wages shall not be paid on the type of work the Deputy mentions which might take away labour from other essential works.

Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey

Mr. Morrissey: But that is not the question I put to the Parliamentary Secretary.

An Ceann Comhairle Frank Fahy

An Ceann Comhairle: It is a much wider question than the one on the Order Paper?

Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey

Mr. Morrissey: With all respect, Sir, I suggest that it is not so wide, and that that is the reason why Deputy Flanagan's question is on the Order Paper.

Dáil Éireann 99 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Road Improvement Schemes.

Questions

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