asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of (a) collectors, (b) lock-keepers, and (c) sluice-keepers employed on the River Shannon navigation, and the hours of work and the rates of pay in each case; whether additional remuneration is paid for Sunday work; and whether any increase has been made in the general rate of remuneration for these men subsequent to August, 1939; and, if so, what is the amount of such increase.
Written Answers. - River Shannon Navigation.
The total number of collectors, lock-keepers and sluice-keepers is 18, made up as follows:—
|
Collector and assistant to the inspector |
1 |
|
Collectors (and collector-lock-keepers) |
10 |
|
Collectors (and lock-keeper-sluice-keeper) |
4 |
|
Lock-keeper |
1 |
|
Sluice-keepers |
2 |
Hours of work: There are no fixed hours of duty. The attendance of the men is primarily dependent upon the arrival and departure of barges, etc., or in the case of the sluice-keepers, upon the height of the river water and drainage and power requirements.
Rates of pay: Each of the 18 collectors, etc., occupies a house free of rent, in many cases with a plot of ground attached.
Seven have inclusive rates ranging from 10/- to 60/- a week.
The remainder are paid a basic rate plus a bonus. The basic rates vary from 4/7 a week to 18/- a week, and the bonus varies from 7/- a week to 15/11 a week.
The rates were fixed according to whether the post was regarded as a part-time post or otherwise.
Sunday work: Ordinarily no extra payment is made for Sunday work.
Since 1939 there has been no increase in the general rate of remuneration of the collectors, etc., employed on the Shannon navigation. An application for an increase in the rates of remuneration is at present under consideration.