§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has now completed his inquiry relative to single warders and assistant matrons, Class 3, in the Irish prison service who, on the introduction of the new scheme of pay, 1st April, 1916, were paid 1s. 6d. less the maximum weekly 308W salary up to the present date, and warders who got married since 1st April, 1916, are deprived of equal rights with other married warders, and that a few single warders with over thirty-three years' service are so affected; and if he can now state if this alleged injustice will be rectified and paid retrospectively to those officers?
§ Mr. DUKEThe answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. It is not intended to grant the increase mentioned to assistant matrons and single warders, Class 3, nor to extend the concession to warders marrying after the date of the introduction of new scheme.
§ Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the increase in the lodging allowance to prison officers not residing in prison quarters from 5s. to 7s. 6d. per week promised in the House of Commons last June will only be paid from 17th ultimo; if he is aware that the officers concerned believed that the payment, when made, would be retrospective from June last, when the increase commenced, and that they were disappointed that they would only receive payment from 17th ultimo; and whether the matter will be reconsidered, as it was generally believed, not only by the officers but the public generally, that the increase would date from June last?
§ Mr. DUKEThe authority of the Treasury for payment of the allowances in question takes effect from 17th January, and no sanction exists for retrospective payments.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received several representations from the prison warders of Ireland with reference to their complaints on the subject of their present pay and emoluments; and, if so, what steps the Government are prepared to take to improve the condition of this body of Civil servants, and to give them such an increase in salary as will enable them to live under the present circumstances?
§ Mr. DUKEThe question of the pay of prison officers was fully considered in connection with the recent revision of salaries of subordinate Irish prison officers, and increased rates were sanctioned and are being paid. In addition to their salaries they are in receipt of the temporary war bonuses awarded by the 309W Conciliation and Arbitration 'Board for Government employés of their class. No further action can be taken at present.