andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any persons declared redundant by Coras Iompair Éireann who are now pensioners of the company have been reappointed to positions (a) in any capacity and (b) in their former capacity with the company.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundant C.I.E. Employees.
19.
I am informed that a small number of persons whose services were dispensed with by C.I.E. in circumstances entitling them to compensation under transport legislation have been re-employed for short periods by the Board either in their former capacity or in other capacities. Normally, the employment is of a temporary nature and the compensation is abated for the duration of the employment.
Persons in receipt of pensions under the Board's Pension Schemes are also re-employed from time to time in purely temporary capacities and while so employed their remuneration is reduced by the amount of the pensions.
20.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is satisfied that all those persons declared to be redundant by Coras Iompair Éireann during the last three years and now drawing State pensions were properly so declared.
It is the sole responsibility of the Board of C.I.E. to dispense with the services of an employee on grounds of redundancy. Grants are made towards the cost of compensation of such persons under Section 15 of the Transport Act, 1958, on the basis of returns certified by the Board's auditors. I have no reason to believe that any person in receipt of redundancy pension has not been awarded such pension in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.
Is the Minister quite satisfied that no person has been declared redundant by the General Manager of C.I.E., acting outside these powers?
We have been very careful to point out to C.I.E. the necessity for taking the very greatest care and we have received assurances that that is the case. As the Deputy will know, occasionally persons are re-employed for short periods for special purposes. During those periods they lose their compensation.
I think the Minister did not get the Supplementary Question. Would he say if any individual has been declared redundant by the General Manager in a manner not in accordance with that specified — by decision of the Board?
I am not aware of any person having been declared redundant except in the manner provided by the Act.
Does the Minister say he is not aware of any individual being declared redundant by the General Manager rather than by the Board of the Company as specified in the Act?
The redundancies are declared and the question of compensation is certified by the auditors and I have full confidence in C.I.E.——
That is not the question the Minister was asked.
——to operate the redundancy provision in the proper manner.
I made the question very clear and the Minister did not reply to it. Has any person been declared redundant by the General Manager rather than under the conditions that the Minister read out a few minutes ago?
Not to my knowledge.
The Minister is not aware of any such case?
No.
Then I shall supply the Minister with the details.
The Minister knows perfectly well.