asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received a recommendation from Meath County Council for a change in remuneration of rate collectors; and if he will state the date on which he received the recommendation, and the action taken in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remuneration of Meath Rate Collectors.
12.
A proposal to place those of their rate collectors, who are at present paid on a poundage basis, on fixed salaries, was submitted for sanction by Meath County Council on 11th December, 1962, and is under consideration in conjunction with related proposals from a number of other county councils. A decision in the matter will be given as soon as possible.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if he considers it reasonable that a matter of this kind, which vitally affects the rates in the county, should take over four months to be decided?
This is a question which arises over the country as a whole, as a result of the increase in the agricultural grant last year and the problem in relation to County Meath cannot be taken in isolation when similar problems arise throughout the country. We must seek an overall national solution of the matter.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the decision taken in the case of County Meath would be the same as the decisions taken in regard to every other county and will he explain why County Meath, where the representation has been sent in, should be held up, pending recommendations from other counties which, I understand, have not been sent in?
Some have been sent in, but we are waiting for a more comprehensive picture.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say how many counties have, in fact, submitted recommendations?
Quite a number.
Is it not a fact that Meath County Council agreed to this procedure some months ago and that there is no reason why the Department should have held up this agreement?
As I have explained in answer to the question, this is not a single problem and it cannot be considered in isolation. This is a problem that arises because the Government increased the agricultural grant.
Have all the other counties agreed in the same way as Meath County Council?
That is a separate question.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say how Meath County Council can pay the rate collectors pending a decision which may not be taken for another 12 months?
Pay them on the same basis as they always paid them.
Of course, they cannot do that. That is a stupid statement.