asked the Minister for Defence if the system of providing helpers for civilian craftsmen is being discontinued at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Curragh Camp Employees.
19.
No change in the system of providing helpers for civilian craftsmen is contemplated.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that this has been happening, that there has been a complaint and correspondence between a trade union and the secretary of the Department?
I have not that information.
20.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that military personnel are performing duties as stokers at the Military College, Curragh Camp, County Kildare, a duty which was always carried out by civilian employees.
Military personnel have been performing stoking duties as a temporary measure pending the appointment of civilian stokers. The vacancies for civilian stokers will be filled shortly.
In view of the present unemployment situation is it not peculiar that military personnel are doing civilian work?
I agree with the Deputy.
That it is peculiar?
Yes.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary ensure that this practice is discontinued immediately?
A notice has been issued of the need for the prompt filling of all vacancies which require to be filled.
I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to convey to the Minister that this matter is urgent and that he should ensure that his orders are carried out as soon as possible.
21.
asked the Minister for Defence if it is his policy to replace pioneers who retire at the Curragh Training Camp, County Kildare.
Pioneers employed at the Curragh Training Camp will continue to be replaced as necessary on retirement.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that some of them are taking a hell of a long time to be replaced?
Arising from the Deputy's three questions, there will be an increase in the number of jobs in the Curragh next week.
Is it now the policy of the Department that these replacement jobs are handed out by Manpower and not by the Department and that anybody interested in them should apply to Manpower?
Yes. The Corps of Engineers are responsible for the filling of those vacancies and I accept that they should have been filled before now.