asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the number of supervisors employed on the farm buildings scheme, their weekly rate of pay, and the approved method of locomotion, and (b) the number of supervisors employed on the land rehabilitation project, their weekly rate of pay, and the approved method of locomotion in their case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Supervisors.
The numbers of supervisors employed on (a) farm buildings scheme and (b) land rehabilitation project are at present 188 and 249, respectively. No alteration has been made in the rates of pay as given in my reply to the Deputy's questions on the 6th June last. The supervisors employed on the farm buildings scheme are authorised to use bicycles in the course of their official work. Those on the land rehabilitation project are allowed to use their cars where necessary on official business. The matter of the approved method of locomotion in the case of the former is at present being considered.
Will the Minister, in view of his repudiation of my suggestion during the discussion on his Estimate here that there was a differential treatment of these two classes, tell me what justification there is for (1) paying the farm buildings scheme supervisors less than those employed on the land reclamation scheme, and (2) permitting only the use of pedal cycles in the case of farm buildings scheme supervisors and motor cars in the case of land reclamation supervisors, and in general providing that the terms under which the land reclamation supervisors work are far more attractive than those of the farm buildings scheme supervisors?
With respect, I cannot see that the salaries and conditions of various categories of the public service arise on the question; but, in regard to the specific question as to why the land project supervisors may use cars on official business while farm buildings scheme supervisors are restricted to using bicycles, perhaps the Deputy will accept as an answer a rhetorical question: why did he confine farm buildings scheme supervisors to bicycles? I am going to end that; it was he who started it.
There was no land rehabilitation scheme in operation in my time.
There is now.
There is. Are the conditions obtaining——
The conditions are a damn sight better for the men you appointed.
Next question.
I put down a parliamentary question in the hope of obtaining information to which I am entitled.
The Deputy has been allowed to ask his question and to put a supplementary question.
I am entitled to the protection of the Chair in order to ensure that my rights here will be protected and that I will get the information I require.
The Chair has no power in that respect.
Deputies get all the protection they need.
I want the Minister to give me——
Question No. 28.
I desire to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I hope you do.