asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received a proposal from the Cork County Council regarding an increased rate of pay for bog workers during the current financial year; and, if so, if he will indicate what action he proposes to take.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bog Workers' Pay.
Proposals for increases in the wages of road workers have been approved by me in recent months bringing these wages into line with the wages of turf workers. I do not propose to continue the payment of a differential in favour of turf workers.
Is the Minister not aware that the differential rate existed for years back in favour of thebog workers? Is the Minister going to change that system for turf and road workers?
I have told the Deputy that fairly generous proposals have been made in connection with the pay of road workers from the different county councils. I have treated these proposals fairly. The position now is that the wages of these road workers are equal to the differential rate paid in favour of turf workers in the past. I do not propose to continue the differential rate further.
The Cork County Council submitted its proposal for a differential rate of 8/- for the current year in favour of bog workers. Is the Minister not prepared to give favourable recommendation to that proposal which was considered at great length by the council and adopted? It is a case somewhat similar to that made by Deputy O'Donnell in favour of forestry workers and those workers got preferential treatment from the previous Government.
I have stated that the wages of road workers are now on a par with the differential rate that was formerly available to turf workers only. I think that is a fair approach.
The Minister is turning it down now. Why not tell the county council that, seeing that they submitted the proposal months ago?
They will get the information.