asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received a recommendation from the county manager, Kildare, for an increase of 7/6 per week in the wages of road workers employed by the Kildare County Council; and, if so, if he will state when the increase will be sanctioned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Road Workers.
This proposal has been received and is being considered in conjunction with other similar proposals.
Can the Minister say when a decision is likely to be communicated to the county council?
I cannot say.
In view of the fact that the county council have been unanimous in recommending the increase and have raised the necessary rates in order to pay it, will the Minister give approval to the unanimous recommendation of the county council?
I have told the Deputy that I have received a number of more or less similar proposals, that all these will be considered and decisions made on them at the same time.
Is it too much to expect the Minister to indicate approximately when these people will get the overdue increase?
There is no point in my doing so, because I do not know but that further proposals may come in, and it is desirable that I should come to a decision when all these have been received.
Are we to understand that the Minister will make no decision until he is satisfied that he has received the last proposal from some county council which does not desire to move expeditiously in the matter?
The wages at present paid were sanctioned within the past year, so that it cannot be said that there is anything unreasonable being done.
Since the last increase was granted—and it was a miserable increase—we have had a crippling impost on these people under last year's Budget. Is the Minister aware of that fact?
I am aware of all the facts.