asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what are the conditions of employment and the rate of wages paid by the Board of Public Works to labourers employed on the air base construction works at Rhynanna, County Clare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labourers' Wages at Rhynanna.
The rate of wages paid by the Commissioners of Public Works to labourers employed on the Shannon airport is 32/- per week. The normal working week is 48 hours.
When was the rate increased from 24/- to 32/-?
It never was 24/-.
After the debate here in which I exposed that wage.
It was never at any time 24/-, nor was it influenced in any way by the debate raised by Deputy Hogan.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (1) what are the conditions of employment and what is the rate of wages paid to labourers employed by the contractor constructing the cement road to the air base at Rhynanna, County Clare; (2) if there is a fair wages clause inserted in the contract in respect of this road construction, and (3) if this fair wages clause is being observed by the contractor.
The concrete road referred to in the question is being constructed by the Clare County Council and the Commissioners of Public Works are not parties to the contract between that body and the contractors. Accordingly, I am not in a position to give authoritative information on the points raised; but it can, no doubt, be obtained from the county council. Personally, I have no doubt there is such a fair wages clause inserted, and no suggestion to the contrary has come to us.
Will the Minister consider paying the rate of wages paid by the contractor, which is 5/- a week more than that paid by the Board of Works, for the very same kind of work? The contractor is paying 37/-. Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider inserting a fair wages clause for work being carried out by the Department?
That is not the question on the Order Paper.
That is a separate question.