asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he proposes to bring about a change in the present out of date method of having mail delivered in the rural areas by postmen on push bicycles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mail Deliveries in Rural Areas.
43.
In rural areas where conditions are favourable, motor vehicles are being introduced for the delivery of mails as opportunity offers. Where conditions are not favourable for motor working, there is no satisfactory alternative to the continued use of pedal cycles.
(Cavan): Does the Minister agree that the introduction of the motor van system is throwing many rural postmen out of employment and that a number of these rural postmen so displaced are emigrating?
I do not agree it is throwing a lot of postmen out of work. There are some, but they are people who were recruited on a temporary basis only. The scheme is being gradually adopted where vacancies occur. We are trying to bring it in with the least possible displacement of existing permanent personnel.
(Cavan): If the Minister made inquiries, he would find that a lot of men who have been on a temporary basis for many years are being displaced by this changeover.
Is the Minister aware that this change from bicycle to motor vans has resulted in some people not getting their post until 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. because of the wider area covered by the vans? Because the postmen do not now have to push, they can keep going all day. The people in many areas are dissatisfied with this.
It could possibly result in later deliveries in some isolated cases but, by and large, the result is improved deliveries.
Does the Minister agree that the effect of using motor transport is to import vehicles and export human beings?
It is efficiency. It is discussed with the unions. It gives more comfortable and better employment to people and results in better service generally as well as effecting an economy.
Does the Minister consider that a later delivery is a more efficient delivery?
I did not say that.
That is what I understood the Minister to say.
I said there might be a later delivery in some cases but that, by and large, it had resulted in earlier deliveries.
Question No. 44 postponed.