asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that, in the early part of the present year, Kerry County Council voted an increase of 5s. per week as from April 1st, 1943, to the lower-paid grades of their clerical staff and made provision in their rates estimate for the payment of this additional remuneration, and if he will state whether in fact the additional remuneration so voted has been paid week by week to the members of the staff concerned; whether he will also state if this increase has been sanctioned; and, if not, if he will give (1) the date on which the refusal to sanction the increase of 5s. per week was communicated to the county council; (2) the reason for his refusal to sanction the proposal of the county council in this matter, and (3) the reason for the delay in communicating his decision to the county council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry County Council Clerical Staff.
On the 30th March last the Kerry County Council passed a resolution to the effect that emergency bonuses varying from 3s. to 5s. be granted only to employees in receipt of not more than £3 a week and that provision be made in their estimates for these amounts. In October last proposals were received in my Department from the county manager for the grant of bonuses varying from 3s. 6d. to 5s. a week to certain members of the clerical staff and the library staff. All the proposals submitted were duly sanctioned. It is understood that payment of these bonuses is being made as from the 1st April, 1943.
Is it true that you would not sanction the 5/- a week to the single men, and 5/- a week to married men granted by the Kerry County Council?
The bonuses awarded by the council and submitted to my Department have been approved.
How much?
I would require to have notice if I were to give the particulars of the amounts.
The county council approved of 5/- for married and single men, and your Department sanctioned 3/6 for single men and 5/- for married.
All the proposals submitted were duly sanctioned.
Some time ago a letter was received from your Department sanctioning 3/6 for single men and 5/- for married men. The single men had to refund at the rate of 1/6 a week since 1st April, 1943.
I do not get the gist of the Deputy's supplementary question— if he has put one.