asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the date on which two men (names supplied) were taken on in 1961 as builder's labourers in the civilian corps on the Curragh Camp, and the period for which each has immediately previously thereto been registered as unemployed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Curragh Camp Employees.
39.
One of the two men mentioned was taken on as building labourer with an Cór Innealltóirí at Campa Traenála an Churraigh on 20 Aibreán, 1961. A second person of the surname given by the Deputy was taken on in a similar capacity on 19 Meitheamh, 1961. Both these men were registered at the Kildare Employment Exchange immediately prior to their employment with my Department. I regret, however, that I am not in a position to give the period for which each had immediately prior to taking up such employment been unemployed.
Would the Minister say why?
It is not the practice to inquire as to the period over which a man is unemployed.
Is not there the register in the Department?
In the Department of Defence?
In the Department of Social Welfare. When the command engineer asks for the submission of names is he not given the period over which the men have been registered?
The employment officer would not make such inquiries.
Is it not on the standard form?
Not as far as I know.
Would the Minister be surprised to know that both men concerned were engaged in other employment 48 hours before they were employed by the command engineer and that they were registered for the one intervening day, having been told they would be employed if they gave up their other employment?
I have no knowledge of it.
I can assure the Minister it is a fact.
40.
asked the Minister for Defence how many persons have recently been trained as drivers in the civilian corps at the Curragh Camp, and the cost of such training.
The answer to the question is none. An Cór Innealltóirí do not undertake the training of civilian employees engaged as drivers at Campa Traenála an Churraigh.
Could the Minister then say who is training civilian drivers on the Curragh at the moment?
Nobody, as far as I know.
How is it then that there was a three weeks' course for civilian drivers on the Curragh or was that course arranged without authority from the Department?
My information is that the corps do not train civilians as drivers.
They are driving, though.
I shall look into the allegations made by the Deputy.
41.
asked the Minister for Defence why a man (name supplied) who had been demoted on redundancy to builder's labourer was not re-employed as a driver in the civilian corps at the Curragh Camp when further drivers were required.
The employee in question who is at present employed as a General Labourer was not re-employed as a driver with An Cór Innealltóirí at Campa Traenála an Churraigh because he was not regarded as suitable for such an appointment.
Will the Minister say for how many years that particular employee was employed as a driver by the Corps of Engineers and will he say whether during that period he has had any accident, and further will the Minister say whether during that period any remonstration was made in respect of bad driving?
As far as the information I have goes he was employed as a relief driver on the 20th July, 1960, and on 26th October he was regraded to his previous employment.
Is the Minister aware he was a permanent driver first of all, that he was demoted to relief driver without any reason being assigned and that subsequently he was again demoted to be a builder's labourer without reason, that the man's union raised the matter, that no explanation was given to the union or passed on to the man; and is the Minister further aware that this man has six children between five and 14 years of age and that in consequence of these demotions he has lost £1 15s. a week without any reason ever being given to him by anyone?
I am aware that on 26th October, 1960 he was regarded as a temporary relief stoker on the return of the regular driver, that he was reverted to the job of general labourer in January, 1961, on his refusal to carry out his job as stoker.
What was he driving —a train?
I do not know how he became a stoker and a driver at the same time.
I did not say that. He was reverted to the position of stoker when the driver came back.
And he was driving for how long?
For three months or so at that time.
Three years.
He may have been previously. In 1957 his services were terminated due to redundancy. This man is not considered suitable.
Why was he not told that?
The Deputy can tell him now.
The Minister happens to be paid to do that.
It is dangerous to tell the truth outside this House.
42.
asked the Minister for Defence if it is correct that he has received protests against the non-acceptance of the principle of seniority in the civilian corps at the Curragh Camp in considering promotions from one grade to another.
I have received representations from two Trade Unions on matters involving seniority in connection with the employment of certain civilian staff of An Cór Innealtóirí at Campa an Curraigh. The procedure adopted in the instances in question has now been explained in detail by letter to the Unions, and, briefly, was adopted for reasons of efficiency in relation to specific projects.
On what date was it explained?
I have not got the date here.
Would it be since the Question was put down?
It could be. I think the matter arose lately.
Is the Minister aware the original letter from the union was written on 19th May last and that it was not replied to at the time I was looking for information?
A letter was received on 20th May.
But it was not dealt with until the Question was put down.
It has been dealt with now.
And the Minister regards that as such good administration that he can afford to laugh at it.
I am only taking the Deputy's word. I have not got the date.
Surely the Minister must know the date on which his Department replied to that?
The date on which it was replied to was not asked for.
It certainly was. I asked the date of the protest and the Minister should know the date.
Mr. Boland
There was nothing about a date in the Question.
Deputy Dooley could tell the Minister something about the rumours in Kildare.