Vol. 421 No. 9
31 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if her attention has been drawn to the recent statement made by the chief executive of Telecom Éireann that the company planned to shed 1,000 jobs in the next two years; whether there has been any consultation with her Department regarding this plan; if she will outline her views on the proposal, especially with unemployment now approaching 300,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I have seen press reports of the statement referred to by the Deputy. The need to address the question of surplus staff in Telecom Éireann has been adverted to in the company's corporate plan each year since the company's inception. A summary of this plan has been published in the company's report and accounts each year and these documents have been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The surplus staff arise mainly in the telephone operator grade (a surplus caused by the automation of the system) and in the technical area (due to improvements in technology).
