asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that the men recently recruited at Swords, County Dublin, in connection with the work of dividing lands in that area are paid at the rate of 27/- per week, which is substantially less than the local rate; whether a quarter day's pay is deducted in respect of any stoppage of work, even to the extent of half an hour, due to the inclemency of the weather, and whether in the circumstances the men are receiving in total wages an amount which is inadequate to enable them to feed their families, and whether he is prepared to review the conditions of employment in the Swords district with a view to bringing them up to the locally recognised standards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission Wages in County Dublin.
The weekly rate mentioned in the question has been paid in County Dublin to the majority of labourers employed by the Land Commission for a considerable time past. The whole question of the rates of pay of agricultural labourers employed by Government Departments is at present under consideration and the rates of pay of labourers employed by the Land Commission in County Dublin and elsewhere will come under review in connection with this matter.
Is the Minister aware that decent farmer employers in County Dublin are paying their labourers at the rate of 33/- to 35/- per week, and will he say whether this rate is fixed for the purpose of encouraging those farmers to reduce the existing rates paid to agricultural labourers in the county? Is the Minister aware that a rate higher than this is paid by the Land Commission in other midland counties?