asked the Minister for Local Government if he will furnish a list of proposals now before his Department to increase road workers' wages; the nature of the proposals and if a decision will be made in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Road Workers.
17.
The only proposals before my Department to increase road workers' wages are from Donegal and Dublin County Councils. Donegal County Council have sought sanction to apply an increase of 6/3d per week with effect from 8th November, 1965. The increase is stated to be an adjustment to bring the rate of road workers' wages in County Donegal more into line with the rates in other counties. The proposal from Dublin County Council provides for an increase of 7/8d per week with effect from 14th May, 1965, and is in accordance with a Labour Court recommendation.
The proposals are under consideration and decisions will be given as soon as possible.
Why is it necessary to have such lenghy consideration of a simple proposal to increase the rates of wages of the lowest-paid roadworkers in Ireland to the average pay to roadworkers in other countries? Furthermore, why have the Government decided to delay so long on a Labour Court recommendation as in the Dublin case?
The more simple cases are, the more complex they very often become. However, that is not the reason for the delay. They are under consideration and, as Deputy Tully is aware, in cases like this, where you have councils making proposals the great likelihood is, although it has not emerged here, that you might get proposals from one council which would be only the first of a number of a somewhat similar nature from other councils and very often these are held up to see if there is a pattern. On this occasion there does not appear to be any desire to follow a pattern of 6/3d or 7/8d.
Surely the Minister is aware of the general wage increase demand of £1 which has no bearing on the adjustments which have been before the Minister for so long? The adjustment which he is considering will be further increased by £1 later on. Can the Minister give any reason why roadworkers who are paid very bad wages should be held up while someone in his Department dickers around with figures?
I would not say anyone was dickering around.
So the Donegal roadworkers can wait?
They are as well aware as the Deputy is that I am as much concerned about them as he is and both of us are very concerned about them.
The Minister should show his concern.
I will show it effectively.
How soon?