asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when examinations for the promotion of auxiliary postmen were last held.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Auxiliary Postmen.
4.
Competitions for appointments as established postmen confined to serving temporary and auxiliary postmen were held in 1963 and 1965. The 1963 competition was for appointments in provincial offices and the 1965 competition for appointments in the Dublin area.
5.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that there is grave discontent among part-time auxiliary postmen in rural areas because of the introduction of motorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not so aware. No established or quasi-permanent staff have been displaced before the normal retiring age as a result of motorisation of rural delivery services. Only men who were recruited on a temporary basis have been displaced, and they were told, on being recruited, that they had no prospect of continuous employment.
I may add that motorisation of posts is considered only where a reduction in operating costs can be achieved in this way and with the object of keeping to a minimum the loss on rural postal services.