asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has had under review an application by outside employees of insurance companies for a bonus; if he will state whether an unfavourable decision has resulted and the grounds on which such decision was reached; and whether, in view of the steep increase in the cost of living. which affects all classes of the community, he will have the decision reviewed.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employees of Insurance Companies.
Two applications for bonus Orders made on behalf of all the employees of two insurance companies employing outdoor staffs were referred by me to advisory tribunals. In one case, the tribunal recommended a bonus for both indoor and outdoor staff, whilst in the other, the tribunal recommended a bonus for the indoor staff only. I accepted the tribunal recommendations in each case and made bonus Orders accordingly.
The report of an advisory tribunal is furnished for my confidential information and I am not prepared to state the grounds upon which the decision was reached in any case.
Having accepted and acted upon a tribunal recommendation, I am not empowered to have the decision reviewed, but it is open to the employees concerned to submit a new application at a later date, if the circumstances of the case appear to warrant such a course.
Is the Minister aware that the income of the majority of these employees has been fixed by an Act of this House as their average earnings from 1936 to 1938, and is he aware that the money value of those earnings has gone down considerably? Is lie further aware that the weapon of which these people were in possession at the time in respect of taking particular action has now been taken from them? I ask him to consider their cases very carefully because they fuel they have a legitimate grievance.
Could the Minister state the names of the companies concerned?
There are only two in the country.
Could the Minister give the names?
As there are only two in the country, the Deputy can make a guess as to what companies they are.
One is a State-subsidised concern.
That is not correct.