asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union on August 15th and September 10th addressed letters to him requesting his sanction for the increases of wages duly passed by Cavan County Board of Health and Public Assistance for certain men employed on the construction of the new tuberculosis institution for County Cavan; whether he replied to these letters and, if not, whether he will state the reason why no reply has been communicated to the union; further, whether he will state the reasons why the increases in wages voted by the local authority, in this case, have not been sanctioned and whether he is now prepared to sanction them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Cavan Workmen.
The two letters referred to were duly received. The letter of the 10th September repeated the request for sanction made in the first letter and it also referred to a reply received from the Department on the 24th August intimating that the request for sanction was having attention. An acknowledgment of the letter of the 10th September was not therefore considered necessary. The decision withholding sanction to the application of the Cavan Board of Health was not made until the 14th instant, when it was communicated to the board of health. It is regretted that the decision was not conveyed at the same time to the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union. It is not proposed to vary that decision.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary suggest that he has refused to sanction payment of the minimum rate of 1/- an hour that has been agreed upon, and will he tell us what justification he has for refusing sanction?
The rate of 40/- a week applies to works financed wholly or partly out of State funds, and that is the rate at present operating in connection with this matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the minimum rate paid by contractors in County Cavan is 1/- an hour, under the agreement arrived at on the 4th May? This is not money out of State funds.
The State funds would contribute to the cost of the sanatorium.
Is it the rate payable in the area?
The rate operating, of 40/- a week, is for works financed wholly or partly out of State funds.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the agreement arrived at on the 4th May?
Between whom?
Between the Transport Union and the signatories of the contract.
I do not think that would affect it.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the rate operating in an area is quite different from the trade union rate, and that there are different rates in different areas?
Oh, yes. The rates in Sligo, Longford and other areas are different from those in County Cavan.
I propose, Sir, with your permission to raise this matter on the adjournment.