asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (a) the regulations currently in force in his Department in respect of the appointment of auxiliary rural postmen; and (b) what preference, if any, exists for service in the Old I.R.A., and the Defence Forces, including An Fórsa Cosanta Aitiúil, and how such service is usually verified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Auxiliary Postmen.
The regulations currently in force regarding appointments as auxiliary postmen require that, ordinarily, candidates, who should be nominated by the employment exchange and reside within a three miles radius of the office where the vacancy exists, should be within the age limits 18 to 50 years. They also require that candidates should be free from physical defects which would interfere with the work, conform to a minimum height standard, possess a good character and a reasonable standard of education. Where the employment is in a Gaeltacht district a good knowledge of Irish is required.
Preference is accorded to:—
1. Candidates who have been granted an active or general service medal for service during the period of 1916-23.
2. Ex-members of the permanent Defence Forces who have had not less than five years' satisfactory service; such preferential treatment is restricted to a period of two years following discharge from military service.
The age limits (18 to 50 years) do not apply to candidates entitled to preference on grounds of national service. Service with An Fórsa Cosanta Aitiúil does not entitle a candidate to preference.
Possession of an active or general service medal in respect of service during the period 1916-23 is regarded as verification of service in that period and service with the permanent Defence Forces is verified by inspection of the certificate of service or of discharge.