asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the discontent among District Court clerks arising from their low and irregular scales of pay, their irregular hours and wide areas of duty, and their lack of a pension at the end of their years of service; and if he will examine the complaints so that these clerks may be properly provided for in any legislation contemplated in connection with the services of court officers and clerks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - District Court Clerks.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether he has received representations from the District Court clerks regarding their salaries and conditions of service; whether he has considered the representations made to him; and if he will state how the matter now stands.
Mr. Boland
I propose to take questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
The matters referred to have been the subject of representations to my Department and have already been given a considerable amount of attention. My Department has asked the Department of Finance to give consideration to these matters and I expect that discussions will commence between the two Departments at an early date.
Will the Minister indicate, not so much when the discussion will commence, but when a decision will be conveyed to the people who are complaining?
Mr. Boland
When a decision has been reached, there will not be any undue delay in conveying it to them.
Will the Minister say whether due regard is being had to those officers whose compulsory retirement is imminent and who have, in fact, been deemed to be part-time public servants up-to-date, so that in the event of their not qualifying for pension, some gratuity would be made available for them in consideration of the fact that they gave up pension rights as petty session clerks when they accepted employment under the Irish Government in 1922 and 1923?
Mr. Boland
All aspects of the question have been considered.
That is the present Minister's mind?
Is the Minister aware of the fact that the claims were presented as long ago as 1944 and for certain reasons could not then be dealt with? Would the Minister bear in mind that these matters are calling for a remedy and, in the meantime, will he make a genuine effort to convey a decision to the persons concerned at an early date?
Mr. Boland
Does the Deputy suggest that I am not making a genuine effort?
To give the devil his due, he is.
Then what is going to come out of it?
Mr. Boland
We shall have to do the best we can.