asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state why sanction was not granted for an increase of 5/- in the wages of drainage workers in County Carlow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carlow Drainage Workers' Wages.
The proposal referred to by the Deputy was not sanctioned because, generally, I do not consider that workers engaged on works under the Local Authorities (Works) Act should be paid a wage rate in excess of the normal county council rate except where there are factors of an exceptional nature in relation to a particular work.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that these men are working in rivers on this scheme and that the work is quite different from that of county council permanent employees? The Parliamentary Secretary ought to be aware that in his own constituency of Wexford and in Wicklow and Carlow there is great dissatisfaction at present with regard to this matter. Surely the Minister is not going to carry on the system which was carried on by the ex-Minister over there and not sanction an increase of wages for labourers?
Why does not Deputy O'Leary play fairly and not stab the Parliamentary Secretary in the back?
I am not playing your game anyhow. I would not like to play with you.
I do not think there should be any differentiation between the wages of these two bodies of workers, but the Minister has indicated long ago that, where a county council makes an application in respect of workers who are working under unusual circumstances, the matter will be seriously considered. An increase has been granted, I believe, in two cases in respect of workers in County Cork where the work was of an exceptional nature. I do not think it can be suggested that there should be a differentiation between road workers and workers on drainage schemes.