asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that representatives of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union held a conference with officials of the Kerry County Council last January in connection with a demand for an increase in wages for boilermen, ambulance drivers and male attendants employed at the County Hospital, Tralee, and if he is further aware that the council provided the money to meet the increases agreed to at its estimate meeting; and, if so, if he will now state the reasons for not giving sanction to the recommendation of the county manager.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employees' Wages at Tralee Hospital.
I am aware that representatives of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union held a conference with officials of the Kerry County Council in January last in connection with a demand for an increase in wages for boilermen, ambulance drivers and male attendants employed at the County Hospital, Tralee, but I am not aware whether the council agreed to provide the money to meet the increases proposed for these officers.
The remuneration of the officers concerned compares favourably with that of similar officers employed in other county hospitals, and on the 21st April I informed the local authority that, on present information and having regard to the rates of pay in comparable posts elsewhere, I was unable to agree to the increases proposed.
Would the Minister not reconsider the matter in view of the fact that two of these hospital attendants who have wives and families to support work for as low a wage as £3 10s. a week while builders' labourers in the town receive £5 17s. 6d.?
It is always, of course, a matter that can be considered. I said that, on present information, I was unable to agree to the increases proposed.
I would ask the Minister to reconsider the whole matter.