Vol. 253 No. 1
asked the Minister for Finance when the Houses of the Oireachtas will be staffed with sufficient ushers so that Members of the Houses are not required to leave their proper duties to spend long periods escorting visitors between the entrances and the places of interview.
37.
asked the Minister for Finance how soon the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the recruitment of additional ushers will be complied with.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together.
A review of the usher establishment which was undertaken arising out of the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges is virtually completed. My decision in the matter will be conveyed within the next week or so.
To fill vacancies in the usher grade arrangements are under way for the holding of a Civil Service Commission competition with a wider field of candidature than heretofore.
Do I understand from the Minister that there are existing vacancies and that the posts now being advertised are vacancies on the existing establishment and not posts considered necessary as a result of the Minister's decision on the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges?
There is one vacancy.
How many new posts are being created?
If the decision is to create new posts they will be treated as posts to be filled arising out of the competition I mentioned.
Candidates who may be recommended will be listed and recruited as and when necessary.
Yes.
38.
asked the Minister for Finance what steps are being taken to improve the salaries and conditions of service of ushers in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Changes in the salaries and conditions of service of the usher grades are appropriate for discussion under the conciliation and arbitration agreement for the Civil Service. There are at present two claims on behalf of the grades outstanding. The claims which are for revision of subsistence rates and the improvement of uniforms were submitted on 30th March last and are being examined at present.
Would the Minister be good enough to ensure that this very urgent matter is dealt with as expeditiously as possible?
I certainly will not delay it.
Would the Minister not help it along? It is very important. These men are very loyal and give us all good service.
I do not know where this is in the queue. It may be that there are other loyal people in the queue also and I do not want to jump the queue for anyone, but I certainly will not do anything to hinder this.
