To ask the Minister for Local Government whether he has received a claim for overtime from the clerical staff engaged counting the votes in Cork City at the recent elections; whether the Minister is aware that those Clerks had to remain at work almost continually day and night while the count was taking place; that they were a most efficient and courteous staff, and if the Minister will now state if it is the intention of the Government to suitably remunerate those Clerks for the work they so ably performed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - CORK CITY ELECTIONS.
It is presumed that the Deputy refers to the constituencies in the County of Cork. The Ministry are aware of the circumstances under which these counts were carried out, and while claims for overtime cannot be admitted, inasmuch as the fees allowed by the scales are intended to cover the complete count, representations have been made to the Ministry of Finance that in view of the very exceptional circumstances attending the count an increase of the scale fee allowed to the counties should be made in this case.
Are representations being made to the Ministry of Finance?
Representations have been made.