asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of Auxiliary Preventive men who were employed since April, 1923, as a result of the coming into operation of the Customs Barrier, the number, if any, who have been appointed on a permanent basis since that date; whether it is the intention of the Government to appoint to the permanent staff at the termination of the probationary period all those who were found to be efficient and qualified, and whether any such alteration in status will mean an improvement in their present pay of £3 per week.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - AUXILIARY PREVENTIVE MEN (CUSTOMS).
The number of appointments of Auxiliary Preventive men made in connection with the extra work involved by the fiscal change of 1st April, 1923, has been 161. Of the total appointed, a certain number have resigned from time to time. No permanent appointments to the Customs Preventive staff have been made since April, 1923, and the number and conditions of such appointments as may be necessary in the future, cannot at present be determined.