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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Apr 1943

Vol. 89 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sub-Post Office Telephonists and Assistants.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is prepared to include a condition governing the recent increases to sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses to the effect that a reasonable amount of the increase be passed on to the telephonists and assistants employed in the various sub-post offices.

Sub-postmasters are required to provide out of their salary whatever assistance is required for the working of their offices and any assistants needed outside their families are employed by the sub-postmasters and not by the Department. Most sub-postmasters have a shop business in addition to the post office, and sub-office assistants employed by them would, in the great majority of cases, also be employed to assist them in their private business. The Department endeavours to ensure that a reasonable wage is paid by sub-postmasters to their assistants but the question of remuneration is primarily one between the sub-postmaster and the assistant. While I appreciate the intention of the Deputy in the matter, I could not lay it down as a hard and fast rule that portion of the emergency bonus should be passed on to the assistants in view of the nature of their employment and the many difficulties involved.

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