asked the Minister for Lands whether he has received representations in regard to the establishment and improvement of the conditions of service of supervising gangers employed by the Land Commission, and, if so, what action he has taken or proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Supervising Gangers.
I have received no recent representations regarding the matters referred to by the Deputy. During the past few years, however, representations made by the Supervising Gangers' Association have resulted in the award of increases in wages, travelling and subsistence allowances and annual leave for supervising gangers. The association claims for pensionable status and sick leave with pay were rejected.
In regard to Question No. 21, is the Minister aware that there are 35 supervising gangers in the employment of the Land Commission; that many of these men have almost 50 years' service without a break with his Department, and that they have been responsible for the expenditure of very large sums of money on land improvements generally? Their position to-day is that they get no pay if they are sick and when they retire all they may get, if the Minister so desires, is a week's gratuity for every year of service. Does the Minister think that is a fair way to treat men who have given such long service to the State and who have been mainly responsible for the supervision of the expenditure of large sums of money throughout the year? Has the Minister lost the use of his tongue?
No, and any time the Deputy draws me out he will find that I have not.
My question was not for the purpose of drawing the Minister out but to get information relative to these men.
I fully agree with what Deputy McQuillan said with regard to the excellent work done by these supervising gangers. It is second to none. This whole question has been examined time and time again, and I cannot hold out any hope that what the Deputy asks for will be done.
Can the Minister hold out any hope that their condition will be improved? Surely after 45 to 50 years' continuous service these men have a just claim on the State to help them in their old age?
Since the inter-Party Government came into office first in 1948 they have got three increases and some other concessions besides.