asked the Taoiseach whether he is now in a position to furnish detailed information in regard to the labour content of expenditure on public works, including, in particular, road work, forestry work and drainage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenditure on Public Works—Labour Content.
It is estimated that for the financial year ended 31st March, 1955, the total wages and salaries paid for road work carried out directly by local authorities was 63 per cent. of the total cost, that the corresponding percentage in the case of forestry work carried out by the Department of Lands was 77 per cent., and in respect of the arterial drainage work carried out on the Brosna, Feale, Glyde and Corrib schemes by the Board of Works, it was 56 per cent.
These figures have been derived from different source material and, while they have as far as possible been adjusted to render them comparable, certain differences in concept may still exist. The remuneration included is that arising directly out of the works in question (including salaries of professional and technical staff) and paid by the authorities doing the work. Thus in the case of local authorities, besides road labourers, etc., persons engaged in quarries operated by local authorities for their road works, and also persons employed in repairing plant, etc., are included. In the case of the Board of Works allowance has been made for the labour content of repair and servicing work, carried out in the central engineering workshop, on plant and machinery in use on the drainage work. The figures quoted do not include the labour content of purchased materials and services or of work done on contract. It has been possible to estimate roughly that if allowance is made for this element in respect of the materials purchased by local authorities for road works the domestic wage and salary content of the final cost is of the order of 70 per cent.
Because of the adjustments made to ensure comparability the figures given differ from those previously furnished separately in replies to the Deputy by the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Lands on 17th May, 1955.