asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has received representations from three tradesmen attendants employed at the Portlaoighise Mental Hospital protesting against the action of the R.M.S. and the county manager in refusing to recommend them for payment of bonus granted to all other workers in the institution, and if he will state what action, if any, he has taken or proposes taking in this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portlaoighise Mental Hospital—Attendants' Wages.
No such representations have been received. If the Deputy is referring to the tradesmen in respect of whom he made representations to my Department some months ago, it was pointed out to him in the official reply that these men are in receipt of wages in excess of the rates prevailing for similar employment in the district.
If an increase in the cost of living, as is admitted, has occurred for this and other classes of workers, surely the Minister cannot exclude the three tradesmen I referred to in the question? They are entitled to the same provision as other workers.
The three tradesmen referred to by the Deputy in the supplementary question are in receipt of wages in excess of the local trade union rates. They are not too badly off.