asked the Minister for Lands (a) the date on which an application was made by the Federation of Rural Workers for an increase in the wages of gangers employed by the Land Commission, (b) the amount of increase granted, (c) the date with effect from which the increase was granted, and (d) if the matter has not been dealt with, why it has not been finalised before now.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Land Commission Gangers.
76.
The following are the replies to the various parts of the question:—
(a) the application was dated 12th July, 1962. It covered other employees as well as gangers. It included a differential claim as well as a wage claim; (b) 10/- per week on the wage claim; (c) 2nd April, 1962; (d) investigation of the differential claim has been proceeding. It affects the structure of the incentive bonus scheme and its implications need careful consideration.
Is there any hope, even at this stage, of having that claim finalised? I am sure that, no matter what way you look on it, last July to the present time is too long to consider anything affecting wages.
The Deputy will appreciate that the gangers as well as the workers got the benefit of the increase to which I referred in my reply. There is a question of a differential as between gangers and workers. The incentive bonus scheme has been introduced on the Land Commission side. The differential varies but it goes up to 10/- a week. Furthermore, the pattern has changed because most of these gangers now live at home and travel to their work rather than as in former times, lodging out. The implications of the incentive bonus scheme, which is in operation for about two years, I think have still to be studied in connection with the differential between gangers and workers.
Surely the Minister can get his Department to give a decision on the differential, without taking into consideration at this stage the question of whether or not it affects the bonus payments? Would the Minister try to get his Department or the Department of Finance who, I suspect, are responsible for holding up this matter, to come to an early decision because it is ridiculous to find something affecting a small number of men being held up for nearly 12 months?
We shall try to have it finalised as quickly as possible. The Deputy will appreciate that these men got the benefit of the increases. It is the question of the differential that is at issue. There is a substantial differential, under the existing agreement, payable to the gangers concerned.
The remaining questions for oral answer will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.