asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that members of the Shannon navigation staff are poorly paid having regard to their long hours of duty and to the rates of wages paid to workers generally in industry and agriculture: and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to improve their conditions of service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Navigation Staff.
Following a detailed examination, increased wages were granted to the operational staff of the Shannon navigation with effect from the 1st January, 1947. The rates fixed represented considerable improvements on former rates. In some cases, while hours of duty may be considered long, actual hours worked would be few, dependent, for example, on the arrival and departure of barges. Most employees on the Shannon navigation occupy houses free of rent (in many cases with plot of ground attached) and, on the whole, their wages and conditions of duty are on the basis generally adopted for employment of the character in question. A further review of the wages has recently taken place, however, as a result of which increases have been authorised with effect from the 1st January, 1949.