asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason it was found necessary to advertise and hold further interviews for permanent part-time telephonists in Castlebar, County Mayo when an existing panel set up for that purpose has not yet been exhausted.
Written Answers. - Telephonist Vacancies.
183.
The duration of panels for appointments as part-time night telephonist is normally two years; the latest panel for Castlebar was established more than two years ago.
184.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state, arising out of the recent announcement of a considerable cut in the telephone operator staff, the plans that have been made for redeployment of the persons who become redundant.
I presume that the Deputy's question has been prompted by press reports suggesting that it has been decided to close a number of automanual exchanges. No such plan has been adopted by my Department nor is any such proposal under consideration. Planning and development of the telephone network continues, as heretofore, to be based on having 16 automanual centres.
It has long been recognised however that with increased automation and improvement of the telephone network, there would be a substantial reduction in exchange operator staff. Agreement has been reached with the staff organisations concerned on the arrangements which should govern the closure of exchanges staffed by the Department other than the 16 automanual centres. Broadly speaking, day staff will have the option of transferring to another exchange or resigning on agreed terms. Night staff at the exchanges to be closed are employed part-time, and were recruited specifically for service locally. They will become redundant on agreed terms.
There will be a phased run-down of staff in the automanual exchanges later. Recruitment has been ceased and consideration is now being given to the other measures which will be required in due course so that staffing levels are kept in line with traffic needs.