asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the widespread indignation caused by a recent Electricity Supply Board advertisement for vacancies for laboratory assistants in which persons with British educational qualifications are offered £263 extra per annum over the maximum salary offered to persons with Irish educational qualifications; if he will state the reasons for this differential; and if he will take such steps as may be necessary to prevent the Electricity Supply Board giving preferential treatment to persons with British educational qualifications.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Advertisement for Laboratory Assistants.
3.
Mr. Ryan
The recruitment of their staff is, under section 8 of the Electricity Supply Act, 1927, the sole responsibility of the Electricity Supply Board.
I am informed by the Board that the essential minimum educational qualification for the post of laboratory assistant in their service is the Department of Education Leaving Certificate (Pass) but with honours in one of four specified subjects, namely, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and general science. An employee with these educational qualifications can progress to a maximum salary of £996 per annum. An employee who has or acquires certain additional educational qualifications can progress to a maximum salary of £1,259 per annum. These additional qualifications are a Pass in mathematics, chemistry and physics in the GCE at "O" level or its equivalent. A Pass in the corresponding subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination, which is at a higher level, would also, of course, qualify the employee for the higher maximum.
It is unfortunate that this latter point is not brought out more clearly in the Board's advertisement.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Board not issue another advertisement to make the point clear?
I think this is generally known. It is due to the fact that so many students attend the colleges of technology but I will bring the matter to the attention of the ESB.
Mr. Ryan
The people who are really concerned are the people who are attending the secondary schools. They feel that although they have a good Leaving Certificate result their qualifications are slighted and that those with qualifications coming from the secondary schools will not receive as good remuneration, even though they have Leaving Certificate honours. Perhaps the Minister will look into the matter.
I will.