asked the Minister for Defence whether he has received representations from the Workers' Union of Ireland for an increase in wages in respect of chefs and waiters employed at the Kildare and Curragh Camp military barracks; and, if so, if he will state the cause of the delay in communicating a decision to the union.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Personnel—Wages Increases.
I have received representations from the Workers' Union of Ireland for an increase of wages in respect of chefs and waiters employed under my Department at Kildare and the Curragh Training Camp.
In the absence of representative agreed rates of pay for chefs and waiters in this area the wages of my Department's employees are determined by reference to the rates of pay of similar workers in outside employment in the Dublin area, and until a representative agreement of general application has been concluded between employers and employees providing for the payment of increased rates of pay to chefs and waiters in the Dublin area, a decision cannot be taken in regard to the union's application for an increase in wages to similar employees of my Department at the Curragh and Kildare.
May I take it from what the Minister says that this matter will be decided as soon as a settlement has been effected of the current hotel strike?
I think that would be the position.
asked the Minister for Defence whether he has now had an opportunity of giving further consideration to the wages of wardsmaids and the domestic staff employed in the general military hospital at the Curragh Camp; and, if so, whether he is prepared to extend to these employees the same increase in wages as was recently granted to similar employees in the adjoining local authority hospital.
The question of the grant of an increase in wages to domestics employed in the General Military Hospital, Curragh, similar to that recently granted to similar employees in the adjoining local authority hospital is still under consideration.
I will inform the Deputy as soon as a decision is reached.