asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what economies have been effected by the motorisation of postal services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Postal Service.
93.
The saving in rural delivery costs as a result of motorisation scheme so far introduced is estimated at £140,000 a year on the basis of current rates of pay.
94.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that though a letter to Kenya from this country costs 1s 6d, a letter from Kenya to Ireland costs only half that price; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am so aware. Postage rates, and the considerations and policies affecting them, vary from country to country. I cannot express an informed view about the policy of Kenya in relation to postal charges or the level of wages, standard of service and general conditions pervailing there. As has been stated repeatedly, the policy in Ireland is to aim at having Post Office services pay their way so that the cost will be borne by the users instead of by the taxpayers. Staff remuneration constitutes 77 per cent of the cost of the Irish postal service. For a more general statement regarding current Irish rates I would refer the Deputy to a reply given by me on 12th November last in reply to a previous question.
95.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the value of the stamp required to send a normal size letter from Ireland to Britain, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg; and the value of the stamp required to send a similar letter from each of those countries to Ireland.
The basic postage rate for letters from Ireland to Britain is 9d and from Britain to Ireland 5d. The basic rate for letters to the other countries mentioned in 1s 2d. The sterling equivalent to the nearest penny of the basic rates for letters to Ireland from France, Germany, Belguim and Italy is 1s 2d and from Holland and Luxembourg 1s 0d.
Does the Minister not consider that the differential, particularly in relation to Britain, puts business in this country at a competitive disadvantage?
I presume the Deputy is aware that the rates in Britain will be increased to 7p in the near future.
That is not the same as our rate.
It is slightly lower.
96.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why postal delivery services are not available to a company (name supplied) before 9 a.m. in the Gloucester Street area, Dublin.
Except for one recent occasion when delivery was unavoidably very late, delivery to the company in question has been generally given at or before 9 a.m. It is hoped to improve the standard of service shortly when certain staffing difficulties have been overcome.