asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why he has refused to sanction the order made by the North Tipperary County Council that the men working under the government grant in the town of Roscrea be paid at the same rate as the men engaged in similar work in Nenagh and Thurles.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RATES OF WAGES IN NORTH TIPPERARY.
DOMHNALL O MUIRGHEASA
In this case a scheme was proposed by the County Council involving a road partly within but mainly outside of the town of Roscrea. In fixing rates of wages the rural rate of 29s. was applied to Roscrea, which is not an urban district. While I am not prepared to agree to any advance in the prescribed rate for rural areas, there may be grounds for a higher rate in the town of Roscrea, and I will sympathetically consider any proposal which may be made in reference to the workers of the town area.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, may I ask if he will state why his Department decided to give an increased wage in the towns or urban districts as against the rural districts, and why was the amount increased?
I should take it that, as a general rule, the standard of wages is much higher in the towns than in the country districts.
If that be so, would not the Minister consider that the workers in Roscrea town should be paid at the town rate of wages, and not at the country rate of wages?
It is very hard to know what the limits of a town area are when it is not an urban district.
I would like to know from the Minister is he aware that this only applies to the town of Roscrea?
It applies, I should say, to the whole rural district of Roscrea, or an attempt is being made to apply it to the whole rural district of Roscrea, and that is where the difficulty arises.