asked the Minister for Finance whether the contractor engaged in the erection of a Gárda barracks at Clonaslee, County Leix, is under any obligation to pay the local recognised trades union rate of wages to workers employed by him on this job; whether he has received any complaint alleging that the unskilled workers were being paid at 2d. per hour less than the rate fixed for contractors engaged in building houses for the board of health in the same area; and if he will state what action, if any, he has taken or proposes to take concerning this complaint.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Co. Leix Gárda Barracks.
The contract for the erection of the Gárda Síochána barracks at Clonaslee contains the usual Government "Fair Wages" clause obliging the contractor to pay rates of wages not less favourable than those prevailing amongst good employers in the locality. A complaint that unskilled workers were being paid at the rate of 2d. per hour less than the rate paid by contractors engaged in building houses for the board of health in the same area was received from the Deputy and investigated. It was found that the builders' labourers employed were receiving the full recognised rates, and that other unskilled labourers were paid in accordance with the local rates prevailing in the district for unskilled labour. It is not proposed, therefore, to take any further action in the matter.
What is the prevailing rate referred to by the Minister in his reply?
I understand that the wage paid locally is the county rate of 30/- per week to road workers and unskilled labourers, and that the wage paid on minor relief schemes is 29/- a week. I understand that no person was paid less than 8d. per hour on the job.
Is the Minister aware that the Department of Local Government and Public Health has sanctioned the payment of a rate of 38/- per week to contractors engaged in building houses for the board of health in the same area?
I gather that the conditions are not exactly similar: that the unskilled labourers engaged on the erection of board of health cottages are, in some cases, employed by small contractors and often do tradesmen's work. In this case, the builders' labourers properly-called were paid at the rate of 38/-. Other unskilled labourers were paid at the rate of 33/4 which is, I understand, about 4/- per week higher than the customary rate.
I would be glad if the Minister would enquire from the Department the name of the contractor paying the wages alleged in his reply.