asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the officers of the Local Authorities have not been paid their fees and expenses for preparing the Electors' Lists for the year 1922, as owing to the order of the Government the completion of the register was held up; whether these fees were taken into account when these officers were appointed, and form a substantial part of their salaries, and if an order will be issued authorising payment of these fees and expenses.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PREPARATION OF ELECTORS' LISTS (QUESTION OF OFFICIALS' REMUNERATION).
The Deputy refers presumably to the register which came into force in February, 1922. I am not aware that officials of local authorities did any considerable amount of work in connection with that register. The position of local officials in this respect is, however, under consideration, but it will be noted that while in some instances franchise fees form a considerable portion of salaries, the extended franchise of 1918, and the further extension of the franchise to all adults in the present register, increased certain salaries over the 1918 rate to a figure out of proportion to the work involved.