asked the Minister for Transport and Power how CIE, in view of statements a few months ago as to the company's financial position, intend to meet the increase of £1 per week for 20,000 of their workers, which will cost £1,000,000 per year; and whether employment will be affected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wage Increase for CIE Workers.
5.
CIE propose to recover the cost of increases in wages by increased fares and rates and by economies. The Board has stated that every endeavour will be made to keep the disemployment of staff as low as possible.
Can the Minister say if it is the intention of CIE to let go 1,000, 2,000 or 5,000?
I do not think there is any intention on the part of CIE to let go numbers of that kind. CIE have managed through non-recruitment, wastage and redundancy schemes to avoid large dismissals, and I have no reason to suppose that, provided all goes well with the negotiations, there will be any need to disemploy anybody.
Is the Minister in a position to give any estimate of the number of men who will lose their employment?
I hope there will not be any disemployment.
Can the Minister say what type of economies the Board have in mind?
The main economy will be working the system more efficiently such as is being done in connection with the increase in post-ninth round wages costs which amounted to nearly £1 million. These economies saved £400,000, leaving a total deficit of half a million pounds to be borne by the company.
I take it it is not the intention to alter the symbol annually?
In connection with the altering of the symbol, that was done in the course of the ordinary repainting programme and it did not cost CIE any more.