asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that in several areas agricultural workers are in receipt of wages which are actually less than the amount of unemployment assistance to which they would be entitled if they were unemployed, and that in numerous instances agricultural workers in receipt of unemployment assistance are offered work at rates of wages lower than the amount of the unemployment assistance, and informed that unless they accept the work offered their claims to unemployment assistance will be disallowed, and whether he will state if it is proposed to introduce proposals for legislation to enable him to set up an agricultural wages board for the purpose of regulating the wages of agricultural workers; and, if so, when the proposals for this purpose will be circulated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral—Answers. - Wages of Agricultural Workers.
As to the first part of the question, I am not aware that the facts are as stated by the Deputy but, in any event, the matter referred to would appear to be one that comes within the province of the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
As to the concluding part of the question, there are no proposals for legislation with a view to setting up an agricultural wages board in contemplation.
Is the Minister aware that in several areas agricultural labourers who were drawing unemployment assistance are in permanent employment for the past six months? Can the Minister give an assurance that inquiry will be made into that state of affairs, which exists all over the constituency of East Cork? It is impossible at the present moment to get sufficient labour to deal with the agricultural policy in regard to the growing of beet and the growing of wheat.
Am I right in understanding from the Minister's reply that the Government have abandoned any idea of setting up an agricultural wages board?
Dr. Ryan
I did not say that.
I understood the Minister to say it was not in contemplation.
Dr. Ryan
That is right.
This is important, Sir. I should like to ask the Minister if he will explain what is the difference between abandoning a proposal and saying it is not in contemplation.
Dr. Ryan
We have not contemplated abandoning it, either.
Have you contemplated doing anything with it?