The pay and conditions of the county’s graveyard caretakers were highlighted at the recent monthly meeting of Roscommon County Council.
Raising the issue, Independent councillor Tom Crosby said: “They’re getting a mere €10 a week. They work seven days a week, they come out and meet the public. I think all councillors are concerned about this.”
He added that “unfortunately” the Revenue Commissioners have intervened. “And they want to take half of that €10, so they’re going to get €5 a week. No expenses for driving out. The caretakers are there on call seven days a week.”
He called for something to be done to address that situation. “I genuinely know that a lot of them are going to throw back the book and say, ‘do it yourself’,” he said. “I think it’s crazy.”
He called for caretakers to be provided with at least €100 a week “because it will be a multiple of that if they throw back the book”.
New Cathaoirleach, Cllr Domnick Connolly said the issue was an executive function of the council and councillors had no authority in this matter.
“It most certainly is not,” replied the Independent councillor. “It is a reserved function to ensure there is fair play.”
