asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the workmen employed in the Curragh Camp by the Army Corps of Engineers are not allowed to work on and are not paid for Bank or other holidays; whether it is intended to declare a number of holidays there at Christmastide which will mean a considerable loss of wages to the men concerned, and whether in view of the fact that under the British regimé all employees of the Royal Engineer Department having six months' service and over were paid for Bank Holidays he will sanction payment for such days.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CURRAGH CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND BANK HOLIDAYS.
All civilian employees who are paid at weekly rates receive payment for Bank and Church holidays. All so paid are required to work on Church holidays, except when Bank and Church holidays fall on the same day.
In accordance with trade practice, employees in receipt of an hourly rate are paid only for the actual time worked by them. It is intended to declare only Christmas Day and 26th, Boxing Day, as holidays at Christmastide, and the considerations I have mentioned will govern the payment of wages to be made to the workmen referred to in respect of such holidays.