asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a promise of a children's allowance scheme to technicians and other workers at the Institute of Industrial Research and Standards has not been honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Claim for Children's Allowance Scheme.
52.
Apart from the Director-General and Deputy Director-General I have no function in regard to the pay and conditions of service of employees of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. I do not propose therefore to make a statement on the matter referred to by the Deputy.
Would the Minister agree that, in respect of the scheme in question, the employees understood from the Minister that any scheme that would be introduced would have general application?
I would not agree or disagree with that because I just do not know. But the Minister's functions in regard to terms of employment relate only to the Director General and the Deputy Director General. He has no function below those levels.
Would the Minister agree that in circumstances where a children's allowance scheme in respect of those two employees and others of the executive category is introduced in a State-sponsored body —it should apply also to the operatives and technicians?
I think that would be a matter for negotiation between the operatives and technicians, their trade unions and the Director General of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. I understand that that is the position.
I appreciate that the Minister replying is not the Minister responsible but would he, on behalf of the Socialist Minister who holds the office, not admit that it seems rather strange that a scheme should be introduced and that the workers should not be catered for?
I would not admit anything on behalf of any other Minister, whether he was a socialist, a conservative, a Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or Labour Minister.
The Minister should have been here to answer for himself.
The Minister is on official business.
With the permission of the Chair, I wish to give notice that I intend raising on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 84 on the Order Paper for last Thursday, 18th July.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy on the matter.