asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the conditions of employment of subpostmistresses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions of Employment of Subpostmistresses.
50.
Mr. Ryan
Subpostmasters and Subpostmistresses undertake to provide Post Office services which vary according to the needs of the community served and to provide suitable office accommodation and fittings for the transaction of Post Office business. They agree to be bound by the rules contained in various rule books relating to the conduct of Post Office business. They accept responsibility for the official cash and stock of stamps etc. held by them and liability to make good any loss or default from any cause. They may resign at any time subject to giving three months' notice in writing.
Some of them are paid £70 a year for that.
Mr. Ryan
Will the Minister say is it true that postmistresses are unable to take annual leave of even a fortnight?
They are not obliged to give personal service and the Deputy should know that. They can delegate the running of the office, if they so wish.
Will the Minister increase their salary?
Mr. Ryan
At £1 a week.
It is not £1 a week. It is according to the work passing through the office and it sometimes goes to over £1,000 per annum.
And down as low as £70.
They are paid according to the volume of work, and that is the way they were paid when the Deputy was a Minister.
The cost of living was lower then.
(Interruptions.)
That is the way they were paid when Deputy O'Donnell was a Minister.
The cost of living was much lower then.
They were paid less——
There were not so many convictions then.
Two wrongs do not make a right.
Claims for increases in salary are under consideration——
They have been pending for the past several years.
They are with the consultative council now.