asked the Minister for Agriculture if the obligatory provisions of section 17 (1) of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936 require the Board to fix minimum rates for (a) all time work, or (b) all agricultural workers, in view of the fact that no minimum rates have been fixed for thousands of male agricultural workers aged 14-16 years, viz., 2,652 in 1936, 3,962 in 1946, and 3,694 in 1951.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Wage Rates.
18.
I am advised that if circumstances so warranted and subject to the provisions of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936, the Agricultural Wages Board would be required to fix minimum rates of wages for all agricultural workers for time work.
It is a matter for the Board to determine whether circumstances would require the fixing of rates for agricultural workers of the class referred to in the question.
Would the Minister not agree that as there are so many thousands of these young people working for very low wages at the present time, the Board might consider this to be a good step?
I could not agree because I do not know. This is a matter for the Board, if the circumstances warrant it.
Surely the Minister read the reply given by the Minister for Finance on this matter last week? If he did, he will know the number of these young people.
I have the figures but I do not know how they are employed.
Surely it is apparent that they are employed by farmers in the State and is that not sufficient?
I can tell the Deputy that we know the numbers returned at present but who can say with certainty the nature or conditions of their employment?
The information I got was the number of boys from 14 to 15 years of age and 15 to 16 years of age working on farms.
Since they are returned as male agricultural labourers, it may be assumed that they are doing some agricultural work, but in my opinion, it would be impossible to calculate to what extent.
I asked for a definite reply and I got a definite reply.
You asked for the figures but nobody could tell you how they are employed from day to day.
Surely the Minister should have said that in his reply when he knew his figures were not correct?
The figures are correct, as far as numbers are concerned.
What does the Minister think they are doing?
A number of them may be attending vocational schools as well as doing some farmwork.