asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that advertisements for temporary postal workers during the Christmas season, issued by his Department, do not contain any statement that a preference will be given to men who have served in the National Army, and whether, if such preference is being given, he will consider the desirability of stating the fact in order to avoid raising false hopes in the minds of persons now unemployed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TEMPORARY POSTAL WORKERS.
The only advertisement issued in connection with the recruitment of temporary postal workers for the Christmas season is a small poster which is exhibited at the local Employment Exchanges and local Post Offices. This poster does not contain any statement that preference will be given to ex-members of the National Army, but it is the fact that such preference is given and that where ex-National Army men suitable for the work are available they will be employed in preference to others. This condition is well known amongst the persons registered for employment at the Exchanges, and no inconvenience is known to have arisen from the fact that it is not stated in the poster. For the sake of economy the advertisement as well as the forms used in connection with this work are printed in large numbers, and the supplies are used up before there is any reprint. Accordingly, the poster already in stock is being used, and no fresh poster has been printed this year.
Will the Minister say whether his Department has considered the desirability of giving preference to married men over single men in employment of this kind?
There are about three matters which entail preference, and the question of married and single is certainly considered, but within the married ranks and within the single ranks preference is then given to ex-members of the National Army.