Vol. 186 No. 2
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if it is a fact that the main qualifications taken into account in the appointment of subpostmasters include suitability of applicant, suitability of premises offered by applicant and financial stability of applicant.
75.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state precisely the procedure followed in the appointment of subpostmasters; and whether sub-post office assistants are given any preferential consideration over persons with no previous experience in the filling of posts as subpostmaster.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.
The main qualifications taken into account in the selection of candidates for appointment as subpostmasters include suitability of applicant, suitability of premises offered and financial stability of applicant. The fact that an applicant had experience as a sub-post office assistant would be taken into account in assessing personal suitability.
Vacancies for subpostmasters are filled following local advertisement, or by transfer of the office to a near relative if certain conditions are fulfilled. Where a vacancy has been advertised candidates are interviewed and the premises offered by them are inspected, usually by the local Head Postmaster who furnishes a report to headquarters; the report and applications are examined by a selection board consisting of senior officers of the Department. In each case the selection board recommends not more than three candidates as suitable for appointment and the Minister appoints one of the candidates recommended by the Board.
Can the Minister explain why these qualifications which he has just listed appear to have been disregarded in the case of two recent appointments to sub-post offices in the city of Cork?
That does not seem to arise on the question.
The suitability of each applicant, the suitability of the premises and the financial stability of each applicant are taken into consideration by the Board and were taken into consideration by the Board in the cases referred to by the Deputy.
Question No. 76.
The Minister must be aware that the two appointees mentioned in this connection could not have qualified?
There is no such thing as qualification.
