asked the Minister for Defence if an application for a bonus was received, from the local trade union organisation, on behalf of the general workers employed by the military authorities at Kilworth Camp; if he will state the date on which the application was received and the action taken in regard to it; if he is aware that a bonus was granted, more than two months ago, to the tradesmen employed at Kilworth, and if he will state the reasons for the delay in paying a similar bonus to the general workers concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kilworth Camp Employees.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. An application was, however, received from the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union on the 17th October, 1946, to extend to this Department's labourers at Fermoy the terms of a bonus Order permitting payment of a bonus not exceeding 10/- per week to building labourers employed within a radius of six miles from Fermoy Post Office. This application was favourably considered and payment of the relevant bonus was authorised on the 16th November, 1946.
Carpenters employed by this Department at Kilworth Camp are in receipt of a bonus at the rate of 12/8 per week and labourers at the rate of 6/- per week. The bonus of 12/8 could not be extended to the grade of general labourer as that grade was not included in the Schedule to the relevant Order. Arrangements are being made, however, to increase the rate of bonus (6/- per week) payable to general labourers employed by this Department in the Kilworth area to the rate applicable in the case of building labourers in the Fermoy area, i.e. 10/- per week with effect from the 1st May, 1946.