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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Jul 1966

Vol. 223 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Part-Time Night-Telephone Staff.

52.

Mr. Barrett

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what is the average annual remuneration of persons employed on a part-time basis on the night telephone staff at Cork telephone exchange.

There are four part-time night telephonist posts at Cork with normal attendances of 30 hours and 5 with normal attendances of 19 hours weekly. The rates of pay are 6s. 7½d per hour giving a total annual remuneration for the 30 hour posts of £518 and £383 for the 19 hour posts. Overtime worked would add approximately £50 per annum on average to each post.

In addition some night telephone assistants are drawn from a panel of men in other employment and engaged for telephone operating on a casual basis with no fixed weekly hours. Their earnings average £120 a year.

53.

Mr. Barrett

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the manner in which persons who are employed on a part-time basis on the night telephone staff at Cork exchange are recruited for employment.

Vacancies for part-time male night telephonists and night telephone assistants for Cork telephone exchange are normally advertised in the local newspaper. The local employment exchange is also notified of vacancies for part-time male night telephonists. Selection is by interview and the candidates who are regarded as the most suitable for operating work are recruited.

54.

Mr. Barrett

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the total number of persons employed on the night telephone staff in Cork city exchange; the number of these who are employed on a part-time basis; the number who have regular day time employment outside the post office; and if he will give details of the number of hours worked by each of such persons on the day-time employment outside the post office, and the number of hours worked in Cork telephone exchange.

There are two full-time night supervisors, ten full-time night telephonists and seven part-time night telephonists serving at Cork exchange at present. In addition, there is a panel of 23 men who are in other employment and who are called on as required by traffic conditions to perform a few hours operating on three or four nights a week.

Information is not available concerning day-time employment of either the full-time or part-time night telephonists or the number of hours worked in such employment. I am aware, however, that one full-time night telephonist has had temporary employment which is likely to end soon and that all of the part-time operators had day-time employment when they were recruited.

The working week of the full-time staff is 40 hours net. There are four part-time posts of 30 hours each and five of 19 hours each. The 23 men on the panel mentioned have not fixed regular attendances but they are not usually required to work for more than three or four hours nightly on three or four nights a week.

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