Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Mar 1923

Vol. 2 No. 38

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - CONGESTED DISTRICTS BOARD SERVICE.

LIAM SEARS (for Seosamh Mac Giolla Bhrighde)

To ask the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to assimilate and reorganise the clerical staff of the Congested Districts Board on the basis followed in other Departments, and if, in the meantime, he will consider the advisability of appointing a small Commission to inquire into the conditions of service of the clerical staff, the majority of whom claim to have grievances of long standing calling for redress;

(2) if he considers the Congested Districts Board is justified in withholding annual increments of salary from the great majority of their graded clerks, which the staff hold to be a violation of the terms of their appointment;

(3) if the Congested Districts Board has declined to have the matter arbitrated upon by a neutral tribunal;

(4) if the facts were submitted to the Government by the Clerks' Association twelve months ago; and

(5) if some of the clerks are under notice to be transferred to the Ministry of Fisheries;

(6) if so, will they be assimilated into the executive class before transfer.

MINISTER for FINANCE (The President)

The Government has at present under review the services performed by Government Departments, including the Congested Districts Board, with a view to their allocation to Ministries and consequent reorganisation. Any question of reorganisation of the staff of the Congested Districts Board must be deferred until the functions of Ministries have been determined and Departments have been reconstructed in accordance therewith.

As regards the existing state of affairs, I must remind the Deputy that the Congested Districts Board has certain statutory funds at its disposal for all its services, including the cost of staff, and the Board is limited in its expenditure by the amount of those funds.

In connection with the establishment of a Ministry of Fisheries, the transfer of certain Congested Districts Board officials engaged on fisheries work is intended, and the grading of these officials will depend on the duties to which they are assigned.