asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he will state (a) how many applications for promotion were received, and how many promotions were made, from the staff of the Dundalk Post Office during the past eight years; (b) whether the number of such promotions compares favourably with other similar provincial offices in the Saorstát, taking into account the length of service and proficiency of the staff eligible for promotion at that office; (c) upon what grounds was an officer recently appointed to the Postmastership of Castleblayney, in preference to local candidates, with considerably longer service, and good departmental records; and (d) whether he will endeavour to see that, in view of the stagnation of promotion at Dundalk, due consideration will be given to applications for promotion from officers at that office who are qualified in every respect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundalk Post Office.
It is assumed the Deputy refers to postmasterships, as applications are not, as a general rule, invited for other promotions in provincial offices. The information sought is not readily available and its preparation would involve some delay. In any case it does not seem necessary as promotions to postmasterships are not made on a local basis. Such posts are advertised in "Iris an Phuist," and are open to the Service as a whole. The qualifications of all applicants are carefully examined and compared, and the best qualified officer is selected. Applications from the staff of Dundalk Post Office receive equal consideration with those from other centres.