asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the status of subpostmasters, defining their duties and conditions of employment; if they have a contract of employment with his Department; and what standing in the public service the office of subpostmaster holds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Status of Subpostmasters.
47.
Subpostmasters contract to provide certain post office services which vary according to the needs of the community served and to provide suitable office accommodation and fittings for the transaction of post office business. They must either perfrom the work of their offices personally or otherwise make suitable provision for it. They are paid on the basis of the volume of work done at their offices. They accept responsibility for the official cash, stocks of stamps, etc., held by them and liability to make good any loss or default from any cause. Their conditions of appointment require that they give three months' notice in writing of resignation.
Is the Minister not aware of the fact that many of these subpostmasters who are completely dependent on sub-post offices for their livelihood have to work 24 hours a day for 4d. an hour and in rural areas many of them have to miss Mass on Sundays and Holidays, when they have no help? That may be the cause of laughter from the Government but it is a fact.
It is not a fact.
They have had to do so in order to attend to telephone calls. The hours for dispatch of telegrams and use of telephones coincide with Mass hours in rural areas and in many cases where labour could not be found and where temporary assistance could not be obtained the postmaster or postmistress was bound to remain within the post office for the transaction of such business. Surely the Minister must agree that they have a very genuine grievance?
I do not agree at all.
Whether they have or not, would the Minister not allow a tribunal to decide?
We all have grievances—every one of us has.
Does the Minister agree that 4d. an hour is unreasonable?
I wonder would the Minister bring the Minister for Finance with him?
Would the Minister answer the question?
I have asked a question and would like an answer. Would the Minister bring the Minister for Finance with him to find out if it is the Department of Finance that is the cause of all this trouble?
Does the Minister know that subpostmasters in rural areas are in receipt of 4d. an hour for working 24 hours a day?
They sign a contract and before signing the contract they know exactly what they will get and the volume of work they have to do. In some offices where they have the lowest pay they find it is practically nothing.
The Minister for Social Welfare told us a few moments ago that they are not contractors, that they are insured persons.
I did not.
He certainly did. The Minister is taking up a most unreasonable attitude in regard to this matter.