asked the Minister for Education whether he can state the minimum basic salary paid to trained second-class assistants in the National Library of Ireland; how many years' service are required to reach a basic salary of £100 per annum; and if he can state the number of resignations from the Library service in 1925 and 1926, respectively, and whether he is prepared to investigate the conditions of employment in this institution.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - NATIONAL LIBRARY EMPLOYEES.
The minimum basic salary of the present scale for second-class assistants on the staff of the National Library of Ireland is £60 per annum.
Of the present staff of 16 second-class assistants, nine entered the service of the Library as boy attendants on remuneration of 12/- a week, rising by annual increments of 1/- a week to 15/- a week. They were assimilated into the grade of second-class assistants on the scale of £45-£5-£150 approved by the British Treasury as from 1st January, 1921. These nine assistants were granted as a special concession an increase of salary of one increment (£5) on their scale, with effect as from 1st April, 1924.
Nine other second-class assistants were recruited as a result of an open competitive examination held on 23rd September, 1924. The age limits were 16-18. The scale of salary was £60-£5-£150.
It will be seen that on the present scale eight years' service is required to reach a basic salary of £100 per annum.
One second-class assistant resigned in 1925 in consequence of his appointment to the Customs and Excise Department, and one resigned in 1926 in consequence of his appointment to the Revenue Commissioners' Office.
The conditions of employment in this institution were investigated in 1924 by my Department and the Department of Finance. I am not aware of any reason necessitating a further similar inquiry at this date.