asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the reasons why the builders' labourers employed on the county council cottage repair staff have not received the increase of 2d. per hour awarded to all builders' labourers by the Wages Board; and if he is aware that these labourers were only offered an increase of 4/- per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Cottage Repair Staff.
The Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order, 1943 (Bonus) (No. 1) Order, 1943, under which an increase of 2d. per hour was permitted to workers employed by building contractors in certain areas, bringing their wages to £2 15s. 0d. for a 44-hour week, does not apply to the cottage repair staff employed by the Dublin County Council.
The standard rate of wages for unskilled workers in the portion of the County Dublin where the cottage repair staff are employed was 1/1 per hour for a 44-hour week (£2 7s. 8d. per week). Under the Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order, 1943 (Bonus) (No. 1) Order, 1943, an increase of 2d. per hour was permitted to workers employed by building contractors in this area. The commissioner has, with the approval of the Department, granted an increase of 4/- per week. The minimum wage paid to members of the staff heretofore was £2 11s. 4d., which has now been increased to £2 15s. 4d. I am satisfied that the emergency bonus granted by the council to such staff places them on as favourable a basis as regards wages as other workers similarly employed.