asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that owing to increased postage rates, telephone calls and telegrams heavier burdens and responsibilities are placed upon sub-postmasters; and that as a result of increased costs of butter, postage stamps, telephone and telegraph charges, cigarettes and transport sub-postmasters are unable to make ends meet; and, if so, if he will increase the salaries payable to them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salaries of Sub-Postmasters.
12.
The great majority of Sub-Postmasters have other sources of income and are therefore not solely dependent on their Post Office earnings. A Sub-Postmaster's salary is revised periodically in accordance with the volume of work at his office, and there are wide variations between small and large offices. Sub-Postmasters got an increase of salary in February 1959 following a revision of the basis of payment recommended by the Sub-Postmasters' Consultative Council. A claim from the Irish Sub-Postmasters' Union for a cost-of-living increase in line with that awarded to civil servants from 15th December last is at present being considered by the Sub-Postmasters' Consultative Council.
Question No. 13 postponed.