asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the terms of the last representations made to him by the South Tipperary County Council asking for authority to pay increased wages to road workers in South Tipperary, and the date of these representations; if he will state whether he now proposes to approve of the increases for which authority is sought and, if not, if he will state the reasons for such refusal; further, if he will state whether, having regard to the fact that, at the present cost of living, the 40/- a week authorised for road workers is less than the equivalent of 13/6 a week on the 1914 basis, these wages are intended to be such as would enable a worker to maintain himself and his family; and, if so, whether any calculations have been made which would establish that it is adequate to do so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South Tipperary Road Workers' Wages.
As regards the first part of the question a resolution received from the South Tipperary County Council on the 11th instant asked for sanction to an emergency bonus of at least 6/- per week to all the workmen and carters in the employment of the council in view of the increase granted in the emergency bonus and to agricultural labourers.
As regards the latter part of the question I would refer the Deputy to the reply to his question of the 10th October last to which I have nothing to add.
At the risk of victimisation of the road workers in South Tipperary, I will ask permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment.