asked the Minister for Health if, in the interests of the health of workers, he will take up with Government Departments, local authorities, trade unions and employers the question of extending the dinner interval to one and a half hours to enable the workers, particularly the young workers in the cities, to have sufficient time to travel to and from their places of employment and to have a reasonable time in which to eat their mid-day meal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dinner Interval.
I am not aware that the time at present available for lunch in the case of the majority of employed persons is so inadequate as to constitute a menace to their health, but if workers feel that it is desirable in the interests of their health that the lunch period should be extended, it is open to their representatives to discuss the matter with employers. I have no reason to doubt but that suitable adjustments could be made.
Will the Minister take the matter up with the Civil Service organisations in the first instance in order to give a lead?
If the employees in any Department that the Deputy has in mind are concerned, I am sure they can act in accordance with the reply I have already given the Deputy.