asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the hardship and inconvenience caused to the employees of the Dublin United Transport Company through the demand made on their clothing coupons for uniforms worn when on duty, and if he will increase the coupons to enable them to have sufficient for their civilian clothing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - D.U.T.C. Employees' Clothing Coupons.
Mr. Byrne
During the first year of clothes rationing, a scheme was in operation under which persons provided with uniforms were allowed to receive them on surrender of one-quarter of the appropriate number of coupons. This arrangement placed persons who normally wear uniforms in the pursuit of their callings at an advantages as compared with other members of the community, because they were provided with clothing for their working hours, in which the wear and tear on clothes is heaviest, at a very reduced rate of coupons. When reviewing the Clothing Rationing Scheme towards the end of the last ration year, I felt that, in view of the accentuated shortage of textile supplies, the scope of this concession would have to be modified. Following discussion between officers of my Department and representatives of the principal trade unions and employers of uniformed workers, I decided that the concession should continue to apply only in cases where it was considered essential that the public should have a ready means of identifying a particular class of employees, and where the normal period of wear of the uniform had been extended by 50 per cent. In accordance with this decision, the concession will apply, during the present rationing year, to bus conductors and bus inspectors, whose duties bring them into immediate contact with the public, but will not be granted to other grades employed by the Dublin United Transport Co. In the light of the present supply position, it is not possible to modify this decision.
Mr. Byrne
Does that mean that bus drivers will not get the same concessions as other employees?
That is correct.
Mr. Byrne
Is that not very unjust?