asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether or not the Government has paid or proposes to pay, increases to all temporary civil servants and employees of Government Departments commensurate with the increases paid to established civil servants, and, if so, if he will give particulars of the increases so granted or about to be granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Temporary Civil Servants.
The recent general revision of the pay of non-industrial classes in the Civil Service applies equally to established and temporary employees. This revision provided for increases as follows in the percentage additions given in 1951. On the portion of remuneration, exclusive of such additions, at a rate of £200 a year or less, the percentage was raised from 15 to 27½, on the portion exceeding £200 but not exceeding £965 a year from 10 to 15 and on the remainder from 7½ to 10. Variations in the rates of pay applicable to industrial classes are determined by reference to conditions obtaining in outside employment and consequently do not follow a uniform pattern.
Could the Minister state whether all the payments have been made?
I expect they have, but I could not give the Deputy a specific assurance on that point.
Would the Minister say whether there are any particular classes which have not yet been paid?
I do not know of any.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state if it is correct that it is the Government's intention to dismiss a large number of temporary civil servants; and, if so, if he will state the number of such persons involved and the Departments to which they are at present attached.
While, obviously, no guarantee of permanent employment can be given to staff explicitly recruited on a temporary basis it is not the Government's intention to discharge any member of the temporary staff who can be usefully employed in the public service. It will be understood, of course, that, in the event of contraction of staff numbers, temporary staff cannot be preferred for retention to those recruited on a permanent basis.
If there are to be dismissals of temporary civil servants, will priority of work be given to the temporary civil servants who are married and who have dependents?
I could not give any undertaking. The usual procedure will be followed.
What is the usual procedure?
The procedure which was in force when the Deputy was a member of a Government.
Would the Minister refresh his mind as to what the usual procedure is?
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state if it is correct that a number of former employees of Fuel Importers, Limited, whose employment by Fuel Importers, Limited, terminated when the operations of this concern were wound up, and who were then employed as temporary civil servants have now been notified that they will be disemployed; and, if so, if he will state (a) the number of persons involved; (b) the number of such persons who are married and (c) the Departments to which such persons are at present attached.
I am not aware that notice of dismissal has been issued to any former employees of Fuel Importers, Limited, now employed as temporary civil servants.