asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the hardship imposed on piece-workers employed on road work as a result of the operation of the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936; that they are limited to a 48-hour week as in the case of men paid at day rates, and that as many of these pieceworkers are subject to long periods of unemployment this limitation of hours of work constitutes a distinct hardship, and if he proposes to introduce amending proposals for legislation to remedy this state of affairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Piece-work on Roads.
No cases of hardship as suggested in the first part of the question have been brought to the notice of the Department. Any representations for extending the hours of work beyond those laid down in the Conditions of Employment Act will receive full consideration in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The matter does not appear, however, to call for amending legislation.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, might I ask if the Minister is aware that those men, who are engaged on piece-work, are compelled to work the same hours as the men who are engaged and paid a weekly wage? They are compelled to cease work on Saturday at 12 o'clock with the men who are paid a weekly wage. As a result, their earnings have been very substantially reduced.
I am not so aware, but if the Deputy had put that information in the question I might have been able to verify it.
Might I suggest that the point which I have made by way of supplementary is in the question?