asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that ten men who have been continuously employed for three years as Customs watchers by the Revenue Commissioners have not been established, although they have passed a qualifying test for permanent appointment; whether it is contrary to the regulations governing such employment to retain unestablished men in continuous employment for more than twenty-one consecutive days; and whether he will take the necessary steps to have these men permanently appointed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. Oral Answers. - ESTABLISHMENT OF CUSTOMS WATCHERS.
The question refers presumably to certain extra men who have been employed continuously at the port of Dublin for some time past. In only four cases have the men been in employment for three years, and it is not correct that they have passed a qualifying test for permanent employment. Extra men are casual employees who perform duties analogous to those of watchers, a quasi-permanent class. A limit of twenty-five days was prescribed as the normal period for the continuous employment of any man as an extra man, but the Revenue Commissioners have exercised their discretion in favour of these men by allowing them to be retained continuously in employment for a prolonged period.