asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that tradesmen employed at the Bourne Vincent estate, Killarney, are not paid the standard wage enjoyed by similar workers employed by the Killarney Urban Council, and whether, in view of the fact that the men employed on the Bourne Vincent estate reside within the urban boundary, he will take steps to sanction the appropriate increase in wages to which they are entitled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Killarney Estate Tradesmen.
The conditions of employment of the men whom the Deputy has in mind are not comparable with those of skilled tradesmen employed in the Killarney area. Moreover, the employees referred to enjoy permanent employment uninterrupted by weather or the fluctuations of trade; they were granted a substantial increase in pay in September, 1948, and I am not prepared to sanction further increases now.
Mr. Flynn
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these tradesmen are residing within the urban area and they are living under the same conditions as their comrades employed by the urban council? They are subject to the same cost of living and they endure hardships which would entitle them to special consideration. Is he further aware that these tradesmen have to pay extra in rents and rates as compared with what applies in the rural district, in the other part of the estate?
As regards the first part of the question, I think the Deputy is misinformed. In the case of the carpenter, he has a furnished house and garden, together with grazing and potato ground. As regards the handyman mechanic, he also has potato ground. These are advantages that other tradesmen in the urban area have not got.