asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that the rate of wages paid to men employed by the Land Commission in North Mayo is 24/- a week; whether he is further aware that the Mayo County Council are paying a wage of 30/- a week to road workers employed in the same districts, and whether in view of the discontent that exists because of the difference in these rates of pay, he is prepared to increase the wages of the workers under his jurisdiction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission Wages in Mayo.
Mr. Boland
I am aware that the rates of wages are as stated. The rate of wages paid in each county to men employed by the Land Commission on estate improvement works, which are mainly agricultural in character, is related to the average agricultural rate for the county. As already intimated in the course of question and discussion in An Dáil these rates will be revised when minimum rates of wages in respect of each wages district have been fixed by the Agricultural Wages Board to be set up under the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936.
Will the wages be increased?
Mr. Boland
I do not know.
Does the Minister think that they should be increased?
Mr. Boland
I leave that to the board to decide.
When is the board going to be set up?
Mr. Boland
The Deputy had better reserve that question for the Minister for Agriculture.
After the election.