asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what conditions as to employment are attached to special grants to local authorities for road work; whether these conditions include any condition as to the minimum as well as the maximum wages to be paid, and whether in fixing such maximum and minimum wages any provision is made for "broken time" due to wet weather or other unavoidable cause.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ROAD WORKERS' EMPLOYMENT.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
The conditions regarding employment attached to grants to local authorities for road work are that (a) a maximum rate of wages of an amount specified in each case is applicable to the work; (b) preference is to be given to demobilised men of the National Army suitable and willing to undertake road work; (c) the men required for the work are engaged through the local office of the Department of Industry and Commerce.
The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the negative.
Could the Minister say what was the maximum rate fixed in the case of Donegal—was it 24/- a week?
I could not state that without having time to look into the matter. The general rule laid down is that the wages given are from 2/- to 3/- a week higher than the prevailing agricultural rates in the district.
Would the Minister approve of paying 24/- a week to labourers employed on road work by the local authority?
I would want to know what were the prevailing conditions in the particular district.
Does the Minister mean conditions as to the cost of living prices?
I would want to know the rate of wages prevailing in the district. The wages given under the grant are given with reference to the rate of wages existing in the district.
Are we to understand that it is the policy of the Minister and the Government to give preference to single men because they are ex-National Army men, as compared with married men with large families in the district?
That is another question.
It is in the question.