asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that attendants in the National Museum are being compelled to work on Sundays, under threat of dismissal; that dissatisfaction exists among the attendants in the Museum; and if he will hold an inquiry into the administration of the Museum.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sunday Work in National Museum.
In order to ensure that attendants should be available for Sunday duty in the Museum when required, the performance of this duty has been included in conditions of service accepted by attendants appointed in recent years, and only these attendants are now being required to comply with that condition. In the case of attendants to whom the condition of service mentioned does not apply, the performance of Sunday duty remains entirely voluntary and no attendant is being required or compelled to discharge any duty not included in the conditions of service which he accepted when appointed.
I am aware that the attendants are not satisfied with the present rates of additional pay for Sunday duty and other extra duties, and I am having this matter re-examined with a view to removing any real grievance they may have. I am not aware of any grounds for holding an inquiry into the present administration of the Museum, and I might mention that the Board of Visitors in their recent report (which will be laid before the Dáil soon) refer in complimentary terms to the present administration of that institution.