asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the time lost owing to stoppages of work caused by inclement weather, he will consider extending to workers engaged on the construction of bridges and on other civil engineering schemes, the payment of wet-time benefit at present confined to manual workers employed in the building trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wet-Time Benefit.
The question of extending the provisions of the Insurance (Intermittent Unemployment) Act, 1942, to civil engineering and construction of works has been a subject of discussion between officers of my Department and representatives of employers and workers in the building trade. Such an extension raises many technical difficulties which are at present being examined. When this examination has been completed, a number of interests affected by the proposals will be consulted. No decision can be taken in the meantime.