asked the Minister for Health if he is now prepared to sanction the payment to those engaged on the works of the proposed regional sanatorium at Merlin Park, Galway, of rates of wages similar to those paid in Galway City.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages on Galway Sanatorium Work.
I understand that the contractor has now offered the rates of wages applicable to persons employed in the building trade in Galway City and that work would have commenced on Friday last but for inclement weather.
I should, perhaps, add that the function of my Department in this matter is confined to determining what allowance, if any, should be made to the contractor under the wages clauses of his contract which require him to pay a rate not less than that prevailing for similar work in the district and make provision for adjustments in the contract price arising from variations in such rates while the works are in progress.
Will the Minister say if his Department forbade the contractor to pay the increased wages agreed to by private employers for private schemes at the time of the settlement?
In reply to a number of questions asked previously, I said this matter was under consideration, and it was only until I had completed consideration of all the factors involved that I exercised my authority to forbid the contractor to offer the agreed increase until I was satisfied that I was justified in doing so.