asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the general dissatisfaction which exists amongst branch managers throughout the country who are employed in a temporary part-time capacity in employment exchanges due to inadequate pay and uncertainty as to their future, and if he will state if it is his intention in future proposals for legislation to ameliorate their conditions of service and/or incorporate them into the Civil Service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Exchange Branch Managers.
I am aware that the existing branch office system is far from satisfactory to all concerned with its administration. The future of the system is under examination in relation to the reorganisation necessitated by the proposed comprehensive scheme of social insurance, but I cannot yet say how branch managers are likely to be affected by it. I can assure the Deputy, however, that in any reorganisation of my Department the position of the branch managers will receive careful consideration.
Would the Minister explain why those branch managers are not entitled to compete at the forthcoming examination to be held for established employment clerks, which examination is, apparently, confined to temporary clerks in the employment exchanges? Are these men surely not better qualified to compete at these examinations than those temporary clerks in the employment exchanges? I am referring to large exchanges such as that at Dundalk and elsewhere.
That is a separate question. I might explain that branch managers are employed under totally different terms from those under which temporary employment clerks are employed. There are vacancies for employment clerks in the Department and it is proposed, following the pattern already established, to hold an examination confined to temporary employment clerks to give them an opportunity of qualifying for whatever posts exist in relation to the work on which they are at present employed.
Would it not improve the position of branch managers and encourage them to perfect their ability in that line if they were permitted to sit for these examinations?
I do not think they could be made eligible to compete for employment clerkships because that is not their normal line of advancement. In fact, there is no line of advancement open to them. I would point out to the Deputy that I inherited the system of branch managers as it exists to-day. I dislike the whole system and I hope to be able to effect a radical reformation in it in relation to the comprehensive scheme.
Dr. Maguire rose.
Question No. 3.
Will the Minister not agree that they are fulfilling a useful function?
Question No. 3.