asked the Minister for Finance the grades of employees of the Houses of the Oireachtas who are not paid overtime for hours worked in excess of their normal week or day's work; why they are not so paid; and if any kind of compensation is given to them for such time worked.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oireachtas Staff.
12.
The only grades in the Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas whose members are eligible for paid overtime are those of Stationery Clerk, Clerical Assistant, Messenger and Male Cleaner. In addition, Telephonists, the Superintendent of Typists and the Usher grades receive allowances which are inclusive of overtime.
Officers who are not eligible for paid overtime are compensated for hours worked in excess of their conditioned weekly hours of attendance by the grant of compensatory leave, generally in recess periods. This arrangement is considered appropriate to the requirements of the Houses.
Does the Minister consider that ushers who receive 21s extra, which represents about two hours overtime pay, and telephonists who receive 25s, which represents a little more, receive adequate compensation? These people have to work late at night and very frequently they work all night. Further, will the Minister say what compensation, if any, was given to the reporting staff who worked throughout the night during the long debate, or what compensation is ever given to them when they work late at night in order to facilitate the Houses?
I have already said so —additional time off.
Is it not true that no time off or compensation was given for the long debate?
It is true that extra time off is given at times that are considered appropriate. It is also true that no complaint has been made in this regard by the staff or by the staff organisations.
This is an important matter because it affects the staff of this House. We are very anxious to look after our own rights and privileges; this matter refers to people who are working here. Would the Minister not agree that since people were required to work for long hours on a particular night they should have got some compensation? They should not have to go down on their knees to the Minister or to anybody else to get this.
They do not have to go down on their knees. It is standard practice that——
They were not given compensation.
There is a method of dealing with this which has been recognised during the years. It has worked satisfactorily. There have been no complaints from the staff organisations about this matter.
There were serious complaints years ago by the reporting staff and how did the Department of Finance—which should have no influence in this matter—deal with them? Ten years ago there was a most serious situation when the Seanad could not meet. With respect to you, Sir, you ought to stand up for the rights of the House——
Deputies
Hear, hear.
I am glad Deputy O'Donovan made the point he did, namely, that it is not a matter for me at all.
It ought not to be.
Will the Minister not agree that the fact that the ushers are paid overtime is necessitated by the fact that they are understaffed?
I have no information to that effect.
More than four months ago the Committee on Procedure and Privileges requested more staff.
What is wrong with the ushers getting overtime?
They do not get it— that is what is wrong.