asked the Minister for Local Government if he has sanctioned the proposal of the Mayo County Council to increase the wages of road workers, and, if not, what is the cause of the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Road Workers' Wages.
I have informed the local authority that I approve in principle of the wage of £5 per week proposed by them but that I cannot approve of an increased rate being paid which would, having regard to the provision made by the county council for road works, lead to a reduction in the amount of work done and in the amount of employment given in the current year as compared with the last financial year. It is for the council to decide whether they will authorise the additional expenditure necessary to meet the increase.
Is it the effect of the Minister's reply that he will not sanction the increase to £5 per week passed by the council for their workers, and what bearing has this on the amount of work which may be done by the Mayo County Council? They are two separate questions.
According to the Mayo County engineer, the increase proposed would cost £9,000 in the present financial year. No provision has been made in the Mayo County Council estimates for the year 1955-56 to meet this increase in wages. In addition, the estimates for rates have been cut by the county council by £10,000. They cut the estimates but they ask us to subsidise the increase out of State funds, thereby causing less road work to be done and less employment to be given. If the county council were anxious to see that the road workers were paid this increase, they would make provision for it.
Will the Minister give a straight answer to a straight question? Will he sanction the £5 per week or not?
Certainly, provided you put up the money. I will sanction it then.
Have we got it clear now that the Minister will not sanction a wage of £5 per week for Mayo road workers?
I will, if Mayo County Council put up the money. Then I will sanction it.
It is now clear that the Minister will not sanction £5 per week for the Mayo road workers.
Coalition policy.