asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will indicate what action he proposes to take in regard to a resolution passed by a number of local authorities, including Kells Urban District Council, County Meath, requesting that temporary or auxiliary postmen be made permanent and given the status of permanent officials.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Temporary Postmen.
I do not propose to take any action regarding the resolution referred to for the following reasons:—
(1) Temporary postmen are engaged solely in a temporary capacity in seasonal or other pressure periods. Since they are not permanently required for such work the question of making them permanent does not arise.
(2) Auxiliary postmen are employed on part-time duties. Their employment is, for all practical purposes, permanent during good health and behaviour. Because of the part-time nature of their employment they do not, however, come within the scope of the Superannuation Acts.
The question of bringing such part-time State employees within the scope of those Acts is one which the Minister for Finance would have to consider in relation to the State service as a whole.