asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, regardless of the recommendations contained in Report No. 294 of the Civil Service Arbitration Board, he will consider making an ex-gratia payment to postmasters who transfer on promotion, to assist them in setting up a new house.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transferred Postmasters' Payments.
19.
Procedures are available to postmasters, either individually or through their association, to put forward any claim or proposal they consider warranted in relation to the matter mentioned by the Deputy. In the consideration of any such claim or proposal regard would have to be had to the independent assessment made by the arbitration board.
Is the Minister aware that traditionally the pay structure of postmasters was based on the fact that the postmaster's house was supplied? In view of the fact that this concession has been almost completely phased out, would the Minister not consider on his own initiative making an ex-gratia payment to assist these people to purchase new houses? There is great hardship caused in some cases, although not in every case.
Deputies will be aware that claims relating to the pay and conditions of civil servants who come within the scope of the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for the Civil Service have to be determined in accordance with the provisions of that scheme. The arbitration board is there to provide, where requested, an independent assessment of claims on which it has not been possible to reach agreement at conciliation level. I am afraid it would be inappropriate to consider outside the scheme a general claim on behalf of postmasters on a matter that has been dealt with under the scheme. However, it would be open to individual postmasters to make representations and to have them considered outside the scheme. In the consideration of any general or individual claims, clearly regard would have to be had to the findings of the arbitration board.
May we take it from the Minister's reply that if individuals can show hardship with regard to this accommodation problem he will consider each claim on its merits with a view to making an ex-gratia payment?
The Deputy can take it that that is so.