asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he proposes to increase the rates of pay and improve the conditions of employment for social welfare agents and unestablished officers of his Department; and if he will grant an immediate increase in pay to such officers in view of the increased work and responsibility which they must undertake under his supervision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Agents and Unestablished Officers.
61.
Associations recognised by the Minister for Finance for the purposes of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service have the right under that Scheme to submit claims on behalf of their members for improved pay, conditions of service, etc. The Association of Unestablished Agents is so recognised and in exercise of its right under the Scheme submitted a claim for increased pay to my Department in March, 1960. This claim was the subject of a hearing at the Departmental Council in my Department in June, 1960. Discussion of the claim was adjourned by agreement to enable the Staff Side to formulate and submit a detailed claim on behalf of the Agents. This detailed claim has not yet been received in my Department, however, but as soon as it is discussion on the claim will be resumed at the Departmental Council in accordance with the normal procedure followed under the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration.
With regard to other unestablished grades in my Department claims for increased pay from the Associations representing these grades have either been dealt with or are in process of being dealt with at General Council or Departmental Council level—as may be appropriate—under the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration.
Would the Minister say when the original application was made for an increase for social welfare agents?
They submitted a claim for increased pay in March, 1960.
It is a long time.
Yes, and it is a long time since June, 1960, when the claim was adjourned for the staff side to formulate a detailed claim on behalf of the agents. That detailed claim has not yet been received.