asked the Minister for Labour, if he will grant the same rate of wages to agricultural workers in rural areas as is enjoyed by agricultural workers in some urban areas.

20.

asked the Minister for Labour if the recent 40-hour week granted to agricultural workers means a five-day week.

21.

asked the Minister for Labour if, in relation to agricultural workers, there are any provisions (i) for a five day week; (ii) for a national pay scale; (iii) for health, safety and welfare at work; and (iv) for the extension of the employment incentive scheme to farmers.

I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to take Questions Nos. 19, 20 and 21 together.

Under the Industrial Relations Acts the function of determining minimum rates of pay and other conditions of employment for agricultural workers is assigned to the Labour Court, which deals with the matter through employment regulation orders made on the proposals of the Joint Labour Committee for Agricultural Workers. The current employment regulation order was made on 23 January 1978. The order provides for normal working hours of 42½ per week but does not lay down the number of days in the normal working week.

The safety, health and welfare legislation for which my Department are responsible does not extend to agricultural workers. The employment incentive scheme has applied to the agricultural sector since it was introduced in February 1977. In fact, up to 28 April 1978 applications to participate in the scheme have been received from 388 employers in agriculture in respect of about 460 employees. To date, 245 employers have received payments under the scheme in respect of about 290 workers.