asked the Minister for Finance if he has now fully considered the claim made by workers on the Feale drainage scheme, County Kerry, for an increased rate of pay, and, if so, if he will favourably consider granting the same rate of pay to workers on the scheme as that paid by Kerry County Council.

The wage rates of labourers employed on arterial drainage schemes under the Office of Public Works are still under examination. These rates are not directly related to the wages of county council road workers.