asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is his intention to increase the remuneration at present payable to social welfare agents.

Agents employed in the Department of Social Welfare are included in the classes comprehended by the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service and are represented by their staff associations for the purposes of negotiations under that scheme. Accordingly any question of increasing the remuneration at present payable to agents falls to be dealt with under the conciliation and arbitration machinery.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if in fact there is a claim for increased remuneration under arbitration at the moment?

Yes.