asked the Minister for Finance whether he has fixed the rate of wages for labourers employed on the Goul drainage scheme (Laoighis) at 27/1 per week; whether labourers from the same area recently employed on the Erkina drainage scheme were paid at the rate of 28/- per week; if he will state how the figure of 27/1 is arrived at, or sanction payment at the rate of 28/- per week for all labourers employed on the Goul scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Goul Drainage (Laoighis).
The rate of wages for labourers employed on the River Goul scheme whilst work is in progress in County Laoighis has been fixed at 27/1 per week, based on a 50-hour week at 6½d. per hour. As the scheme develops in other areas the rate appropriate to the particular district will be paid. The rate of wages paid to labourers employed towards the end of 1934 on certain small extra works on the Erkina scheme was increased to 28/- per week upon acceptance of the representations that these works should be regarded as a continuation of the main Erkina scheme, but it was made clear at the time that this rate would not apply to future work.