asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has satisfied himself that the present number of inspectors employed by the Agricultural Wages Board is adequate to deal with the volume of work dealing with agricultural wages and holidays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Wages Board Inspectors.
Mr. Walsh
I understand from the Agricultural Wages Board that the number of inspectors employed by the board is adequate to deal with the volume of work arising from the Acts at present being administered by the board.
Because of the introduction of legislation recently giving a week's holidays, a weekly halfholiday and, more important still, the alteration in the wages board area in County Cork, does the Minister believe one inspector can adequately cover Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Clare and satisfactorily deal with the important work involved in these four counties?
Mr. Walsh
I have no reason to believe he could not.
How many inspectors are there?
Mr. Walsh
Three.
For the Twenty-Six Counties?
Mr. Walsh
Yes.
You will get a lot done with them.
Can the Minister explain why the Agricultural Wages Board fixed lower——
That is a separate question.
Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that many parts of these counties cannot possibly be covered by one man in a period like the present, a period in which complaints must of necessity arise in relation to alterations in the wages board areas and wages?
For Heaven's sake do not encourage him to appoint too many inspectors.
Mr. Walsh
I have no reason to believe that the present inspectors will not be able to do the work.