asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he can state (a) if the working hours and wages of James Donoghue, auxiliary postman, Youghal, County Cork, have been reduced, and, if so, for what reason; (b) whether an extra auxiliary postman has now been appointed within the same area; if so, whether any necessity existed for the increased expenditure, and whether he is aware that any decrease of wages in the case of Donoghue would be a very great hardship, in view of the high cost of living figure.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - YOUGHAL POSTMAN'S WAGES.
In consequence of a necessary revision of the delivery arrangements at Youghal it was found that the services of an additional auxiliary postman were required during the non-season period of the year (October to May) to adjust properly the duties of the existing force and at the same time to improve the services.
As a result the duty of Mr. James Donoghue, auxiliary postman, was reduced from 33 hours to 30 hours weekly, with a corresponding reduction in wages at the rate of 2s. 9d. a week for eight months of the year.
While any hardship which may have been caused to Mr. Donoghue is regretted, it is not practicable to add to his duty without incurring increased expense which would not be warranted.