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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Jul 1935

Vol. 58 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages Paid on Clare Housing Scheme.

Mr. Hogan

(Clare) asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether, in respect of the cottages now in course of construction for the County Clare Board of Health under schemes sanctioned by his Department at Sixmilebridge, Quin, Corofin and Broadford, Co. Clare, he has decided that the rates of wages paid (30/- and 32/- per week) fulfil the conditions embodied in Section 8, sub-section (3) of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1932; and, if he has so decided, will he state on what information that decision was based, and from what source the information upon which it was básed was received.

Section 8 of the Act of 1932 places on any interested person the onus of showing to my satisfaction that rates of wages and conditions of employment generally recognised by trade unions at the commencement of a scheme are not observed throughout the erection of the houses. If such is shown to my satisfaction I am precluded by the section from paying subsidy in respect of the houses. In the cases referred to by the Deputy it has not been shown to my satisfaction that the rates of wages and conditions of labour observed under the contracts are not at least as advantageous as those generally observed by trade unions. I have already furnished to the Deputy all the information in my possession regarding the rates of wages paid. The contractors state that these are higher than the rates generally paid. Against this it is stated that the county council rate for unskilled labour is higher than the rates being paid by the contractors on the housing schemes, but it has not been shown that the county council rate is that generally recognised in the areas referred to. The Deputy will appreciate that I have no power of initiation under the section. The question of a decision on representations made does not arise until the question of the making of a payment of subsidy arises. It is open, therefore, to any interested persons to submit any further evidence which they may consider indicates that the rates being paid by the contractors on the housing schemes are not at least as advantageous as the rates generally recognised by trade unions. If it is so shown to my satisfaction, I must refuse to accede to any claim for subsidy which the local authority may make.

Mr. Hogan

Is not the Minister aware that in similar cases in Kildysart he already decided that the county council rate of wages was the rate which would be considered applicable to these schemes. Is he not aware that he indicated to the Board of Health on that occasion that a subsidy would not be paid unless that rate was recognised and has he not information in his Department from people who worked on these schemes that the county council rate of wages was not being paid?

It does not follow that the county council rate of wages must be paid. The rate of wages to be paid is the rate recognised generally in the area by good employers.

Mr. Hogan

Would the Minister indicate what the difference is between the rate of wages in Kildysart, where the county council is the road authority, and the rate in Sixmilebridge, where the county council is also the road authority?

I do not know what difference there is.

Mr. Hogan

There is no difference.

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