asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that Article 4 of the Standard Rate Order, No. 260, and Bonus Order, No. 175, dated 23rd April, 1943, retrospective to the 6th March, excludes from its scope a person employed by or under the State, thus preventing building trade employees living in the Cork County Borough, but employed at Ballincollig and Rockgrove Little Island, from receiving the increases granted to building trade employees employed by builders and Department of Defence, Collins Barracks; that in consequence the men working at Ballincollig and Rockgrove, having to pay 6/4 per week bus and train fares, are in receipt of 14/2 less than that earned by the men benefiting by the Orders; and if he will state when it is his intention to rectify this serious disability.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Trade Employees' Wages.
I am aware that by Article 4 of Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order, 1943, persons employed by or under the State are excluded from the provisions of that Order.
It is the practice of my Department to pay to its civilian employees a bonus corresponding to the amount of any bonus payable to comparable employees in the same area under the authority of a Bonus Order made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
The Bonus Order referred to in the question applies only to the County Borough of Cork, but the position of the civilian employees of the Department of Defence in the Ballincollig and Little Island areas had been under examination in my Department and it has now been decided to extend the benefits of the Bonus Order referred to, to building trade operatives employed by my Department in these areas.