asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what rates of wages it is proposed to pay to skilled and unskilled labour at Rhynana, Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, and at Ballygreen, County Clare, in connection with the erection of a transatlantic air base in that district; and if he is in a position to say how much employment the proposed construction will provide, and if the men will be employed through the employment exchange.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages on Rhynana Scheme.
Mr. Hogan
Skilled labourers employed by the Commissioners of Public Works on the construction of the airport at Rhynana will be paid at the rates current for analogous employment in the district. Unskilled labourers are being paid at the rate of 27/- per week, inclusive. It is estimated that an average of about 400 workmen will be employed for approximately two years and they will be recruited through the employment exchange.
The work at present required at Ballygreen has been completed and it is intended that any further work will be done by the construction staff of the Post Office Engineering Branch.
Mr. Hogan
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that 27/- a week is a reasonable rate of wages considering the work which the men engaged on the Rhynana scheme at present have to do?
The men on the Rhynana scheme at the present moment are engaged on work which is equivalent to drainage work, and 27/- a week is the drainage rate for Clare and has been for some time.
Mr. Hogan
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that wading waist deep in water is work which is paid for at the rate of 27/- a week?
He thinks 24/- too much.