asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the discontent amongst road workers laying new roads in the City of Dublin, due to the failure of legislation or agreement with contractors to provide them with wet-time benefits; and, if so, if he will have inquiries made to find a solution and thus remove the causes of discontent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Workers' Conditions.
Mr. Flanagan (for Mr. Byrne)
I am aware that the Insurance (Intermittent Unemployment) Act, 1942, does not apply to road workers employed by Dublin Corporation or contractors on the laying of roads other than roads on building sites or on land acquired for building purposes and benefits under the Act are not payable to them in respect of intermittent unemployment resulting from stoppages of work due to inclement weather.
The question of extending the Act to include trades other than the building trade has been under discussion with representatives of employers' and workers' organisations concerned. These discussions have not reached the stage to enable decisions to be taken.