asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether it is a fact that temporary employment in his Department for the Christmas period is being restricted to ex-members of the National Army, and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that ex-soldiers have been given preference for public employment over a long period, and that very many deserving men who did not serve in the Army have been long unemployed, he will arrange for at least a fair proportion of the vacancies to be allotted to men other than ex-soldiers.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CHRISTMAS WORK IN POST OFFICE.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
In accordance with the policy of the Government, as conveyed to my Department by the Minister for Finance, preference will be given to ex-members of the National Forces for temporary employment that may be available during the forthcoming Christmas season. Candidates will be recruited through the Employment Exchanges.
The last portion of the Deputy's question raises a general question of public policy, and is proper to the Minister for Finance.
Is the Minister aware that the Minister for Finance announced in the Dáil that there would have to be a limit to the period during which this preference would be given; will he make representation to the Minister for Finance that that time has arrived; and further, will he ensure, or make representations with a view to ensuring, that preference will be given to married men with families, first to ex-members of the National Army, and secondly to men with families, whether those men were members of the National Army or not.
I should not care to give the undertaking required by the Deputy; but there are some viewpoints arising out of this question which I am prepared to represent to the Minister.
I shall have to make contrary representations to the Minister for Finance.
Will the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, to whom the question was addressed, report to the House what the results of his representations to the Minister for Finance may be?
I certainly shall.
He will, prompted by the Minister for Industry and Commerce.