asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the salaries of school attendance officers in Cork are considerably lower than those paid to similar officers in the Borough of Dublin; and if he will state his reasons for refusing to sanction revision of the existing salary scale of the Cork school attendance officers put forward by the Cork School Attendance Committee so as to bring those salaries to a scale similar to that existing in Dublin.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salaries of Cork School Attendance Officers.
The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes". As regards the second part, the present salary scale of school attendance officers in the Dublin County Borough came into operation five years ago. The present time is not opportune for increases in the salaries of local officers, and no increases are being granted. I am not prepared to make an exception in this case.
Is the Minister aware that the minimum salary of the Dublin officers is the maximum salary of the Cork officers? The salary in Cork is £156-£181. That scale was fixed farther back than five years ago. In Dublin the scale is £181-£195. Surely the cost of living is as high in Cork as it is in Dublin, and the work is as heavy in Cork as it is in Dublin. The revised scale put forward by the committee was sanctioned by the City Manager. Is the Minister aware of all those facts?
Yes.
And, despite that, he will not sanction the revised scale? Will he tell us whether it is Order No. 83 or some other Order that is preventing these men getting an increase in salary?
There is a general policy relating to increases in the remuneration of public servants, including employees of local authorities. The Deputy will recognise the difficulty that arises in picking out one case. I regret that I cannot add anything to what I have said.
Does not the Minister see that an injustice is done to the men in Cork if their maximum is the minimum in Dublin?
Is that unusual?
It is very unusual and I draw the Minister's attention to the fact that this is most exceptional.