asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the cause of the abnormal delay in paying the increased rate of wages to builders' labourers in the Curragh Camp following on the increase in wages granted to builders' labourers in private employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Builders' Labourers' Wages (Curragh Camp).
The delay in disposing of the claim for an increased rate of wages to builders' labourers in the Curragh Camp arises from the fact that the claim is for an increase in excess of the agreed district rate for builders' labourers in that part of County Kildare in which the Curragh Camp is situated.
Is the Minister not aware that since 1918 the wages of builders' labourers in the Curragh Camp have been related to the local wages for builders' labourers in private employment; that the local builders' labourers in non-military employment received an increase many months ago; that if the normal pattern were followed a similar increase would have been granted to the builders' labourers in the Curragh Camp, and that there is intense dissatisfaction about the delay? Will the Minister say what is the cause of the delay in paying the increased rates?
I am fully aware of the facts mentioned by the Deputy and the Deputy is fully aware of my difficulties also.
I appreciate the Minister's difficulties and I am not attaching any blame to him personally. But this is a matter which has been held up for the past four months awaiting a decision and surely whoever is responsible ought to give a decision. I know, of course, that the greedy hand of the Department of Finance is roving around to see how much it can cheat the Curragh Camp workers out of, but I suggest to the Minister that he has remedies in the matter and should avail of one of them.