asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that employees of the Land Commission in County Kerry are working a six-day week for a lower weekly rate than that paid to county council employees who have a five-day week; and if he will take steps to extend the same conditions of employment to the Land Commission workers as apply to the county council workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Land Commission Workers.
50.
Land Commission workers, including those engaged on estate improvements in County Kerry, are employed on a five-day week basis for eight months of the year. Due to short daylight conditions, they work a five and a half-day week from November to February, without any increase in total weekly hours.
The current basic wage rate for Land Commission workers is marginally below the Kerry County Council total weekly wage rate. But the Land Commission employees have the benefit of an incentive bonus scheme which ordinarily results in increased aggregate earnings, which compare favourably with the county council remuneration.
Why were the Land Commission employees not given the benefit of the nine months five-day week? Is there any reason why this distinction was made?
There are not very many of them. They work the same hours as county council workers, which is similar employment. In so far as it goes, I am informed that they earn marginally more.
I am talking about the days per week they work. Forestry workers work a five-day week for nine months of the year and a five and a half day week for three months of the year——
That has been changed recently.
——while the Land Commission worker has a five-day week for eight months of the year and a five and a half-day week for four months of the year. Only a small number of people are involved.
In most cases, what could be classified as Land Commission workers do not work for a period of eight months: they are small isolated jobs.
When forestry and county council workers are working the five-day week, why should the Land Commission workers not be put on the same basis? Will the Minister consider the matter?
There has been no demand, so far as I am aware, from the Land Commission workers.
There has: it has been under consideration for some time.