asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that the rate of wages paid by the Land Commission to the men employed at the division of the Tighe estate, Rosanna, Ashford, County Wicklow, is 24/ per week, while the county council rate in the area is 35/- per week, and the rate paid by the Forestry Department is 30/- per week; and if he proposes to take steps to raise the rate paid by the Land Commission to at least that paid by the Forestry Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wage Rates in Wicklow.
Mr. Boland
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given on the 7th instant to his question in regard to wages rates in County Mayo, to which I have nothing to add.
Is the Minister aware that the wage rate in the Wicklow area is very much higher than the wages paid to agricultural labourers in the County Mayo? If the Minister has any doubt about the figure of 35/- a week given in my question as the wages paid to Wicklow County Council labourers, will he inform me that he is satisfied no farmer in Wicklow pays higher than 24/- a week? Surely the Land Commission is not going to establish that as the figure that should be paid as agricultural wages or paid by the Forestry Department?
Mr. Boland
The Deputy is aware that the rates of wages are fixed on the report of the wages board in each area.
Is not the Minister aware that there is no wages board yet established in any area? There is no such wage as 24/- a week paid in the Wicklow area. Why does the Minister say that the wages board fixed the rate?
Mr. Boland
I was not referring to the wages board which is to be set up under the new Act—the Agricultural Labourers (Wages) Act. I was referring to the advisory board which has been in operation for years past.
I know nothing about the advisory board, but I can assure the Minister that I can produce an agreement showing a much higher wage paid in Wicklow by the farmers than the wage he is paying in the Forestry Department. I beg to give the Minister notice that I will raise this matter of the general policy of wages paid by the Forestry Department in Wicklow on the adjournment.
A question of general policy may not be raised on the adjournment. At any rate, Deputy Anthony has already given notice that he is to raise a question on the adjournment to-night.
Well, I wish to raise this at the first available opportunity.
The Estimates will be on next week. A general question of policy may not be raised on the adjournment.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I wish to ask him where one can find this advisory board on wages. I would like to get into touch with this board.
Mr. Boland
It is a Departmental wages board.
Yes, men receiving £1,200 a year deciding that labourers are to be paid a wage of 24/- a week.
Mr. Boland
I would like to see what Deputy Everett would do if he were in power.
I would see at all events that agricultural labourers and forestry workers would not be paid as low as 24/- a week.