asked the Minister for Defence whether he received a claim for increased wages from the Workers' Union of Ireland on behalf of wardsmaids and the domestic staff employed in the general military hospital, Curragh Camp; and, if so, what increase has been granted and from what date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Hospital Domestic Staff.
A claim was received for increased wages from the Workers' Union of Ireland on behalf of wardsmaids and the domestic staff employed in the general military hospital, Curragh Camp, and an increase of approximately 11.6 per cent. on their existing rates of pay was granted to these employees with effect from the 18th June, 1951.
Is the Minister aware that the increase granted to these particular employees in the military hospital was substantially less than the increase granted to similar staffs in the county hospital nearby? Would the Minister be good enough to have the matter further examined to see that the staff employed by the military authorities are treated not less favourably than those employed by the local authority in the adjoining hospital?
My information is that the award was made on the advice of the Inter-Departmental Advisory Committee.
I am assured by the unions concerned that the staff employed by the military authorities got an increase of approximately 4/- a week whereas the staff of the county hospital got an increase of 8/- a week. Bearing that fact in mind, and also the fact that local outside employment is usually the best comparable basis in matters of this kind, will the Minister undertake to have further inquiries made in the matter?
Certainly.