Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 May 1947

Vol. 105 No. 16

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Council Employees.

asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the increases is the wages of agricultural labourers, announced by the Agricultural Wages Board, he is now prepared to sanction a general increase in the wages paid to road workers employed by county councils.

The wages of road workers employed by a local authority can be increased only on the initiative of the local authority. County councils are aware of the policy which has been followed of relating the wages of these workers in rural areas to the minimum rates for agricultural workers and any proposals they submit for sanction will be considered in that light.

Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that a local authority will not be allowed to pay a wage to road workers in excess of that paid to agricultural workers even where previously the road worker's wage was higher in the particular area than the agricultural worker's wage.

The Deputy's understanding is, in general, correct.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received representations from the Federation of Rural Workers, concerning increased wage rates for county council road workers and carters; and whether, in the light of the recent announcement by the Agricultural Wages Board of its intention to increase the minimum rate for farm workers, he is now prepared to give sanction to a substantial increase for county council employees.

I have received the representations referred to and I would refer the Deputy to the reply I have given to-day to a similar question by Deputy Liam Cosgrave.

Top
Share