asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of additional inspectors, if any, employed for the purpose of investigating applications for grants for the carrying out of minor relief works, together with particulars of their rates of remuneration and expenses and whether their employment is of a temporary or permanent nature.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inspectors on Minor Relief Works.
Twenty-four supervising gangers were employed during the winter months on minor inspectorial duties in connection with the investigation of applications for grants for the carrying out of minor relief works. There are at present seven employed on those duties.
The officials are paid from 12/- to 15/- per day according to their degree of experience and competence.
They are given a cycling allowance of 1½d. per mile when using a push-bicycle, and of 3d. per mile when using a motor cycle on official journeys. When absent from home on official duty they are paid a subsistence allowance of 6/- per night, reducible to 4/6 per night after 14 nights in one place.
Their employment is from day to day.
In view of the fact that the men working under these gangers and foremen are supposed to be paid a rate of wages comparing in amount to the prevailing agricultural rate in the district, why is it that these gangers and foremen are supposed to be paid on the basis of efficiency at the rate of from 12/- to 15/- a day?
Because there is no more equitable way of paying them.
Why is there a different principle adopted in regard to these men?
Question No. 30.
No. 29 was not answered.
If Deputy Davin means that a supplementary question, to which the answer is obvious, was not dealt with, I agree with him that it has not been answered, but I think I gave him all the information he required.
It is only obvious to the Minister.