asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the annual rent paid for the equipment and material being hired in connection with the recently installed telephone accounting system, and the places where the equipment is located; whether tenders were invited for the supply thereof; and if he will give the number of persons engaged in operating (a) the old system and (b) the new system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Accounting System.
47.
Mr. Ryan
It would be contrary to established practice to disclose details of contract prices. The equipment is located in the General Post Office, Dublin. The new telephone accounting system is an extension of the system installed in 1960 in the Post Office Savings Bank and certain equipment is used in common. The contract was accordingly placed with the same contractor.
The number of persons engaged on the work mainly affected by the mechanisation was 100 prior to the change-over and it is now 80.
Mr. Ryan
Do I understand from the Minister that tenders were not invited for this contract?
There were comprehensive schemes submitted for consideration by a number of companies for the first contract and further inquiries were made in connection with the extension. In fact, the contract was placed by the Stationery Office after approval by the Government Contracts Committee.