asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that an employee of his Department (details supplied) has not had a Sunday free from work during the past 11 years; and that because of the system of working applied in his case he is paid for public holidays at the rate of one seventh of his weekly wage of £11 10s 6d; and if he will take steps to alter and improve this man's terms of employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Conditions of Departmental Employee.
22.
The employee referred to by the Deputy is one of a number of men employed as yardman/boilerman in Garda stations in Dublin. He works a 44-hour week, and because of the nature of his duties, his working week includes two hours on Saturdays and two hours on Sundays.
Payments to this group for working on public holidays are in accordance with the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1961, which provides for payment in respect of work on a public holiday of an additional sum equivalent to a full day's pay.
Matters relating to the terms of employment of this group of employees are appropriate for discussion under the Civil Service Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme.
I would like to ask the Minister from a purely human point of view, and leaving aside formalistic references to the Civil Service scheme, in reference to this boilerman—this man has a big family and he earns only £11 10s 6d a week and has to work every Sunday—would he forget the Civil Service approach and do something to improve this man's conditions? Would he eliminate asking him to work on Sundays?
I have met this man in many ways. Somebody must work on Sundays.
I know this man.
This man is quite happy. We have met him in several ways. The Deputy is not fully informed with regard to this case.
I am informed by the man himself.
I have corresponded with the man himself.
Surely it is not sufficient that the Minister should leave the matter in this way? Will he not have another look at this?
I will have another look.
Not a passing glance but a real intent look.
Of course.