asked the Minister for Transport and Power why a number of people employed by his Department in the airport protection service at Shannon are still unestablished after several years service; and whether he proposes to take any steps to rectify the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Security Force.
9.
Mr. O'Donnell
All unestablished members of the airport security force at Shannon Airport took part in a competition held by the Civil Service Commissioners in April, 1970, for their establishment as security officers.
On the recommendation of the Commissioners appointments in an established capacity have been offered to and accepted by most of the officers.
Decisions by the Commissioners on a number of other officers have not yet been made.
The grant of established status in the Civil Service is a statutory function of the Civil Service Commissioners with which I cannot interfere.
A superannuation scheme for unestablished State staff generally has recently been introduced and confers pension benefits very similar to the benefits for established staff. Under this scheme any member of the security force who is still unestablished at the time of his transfer to the proposed airports authority will have all his previous service reckoned for pension purposes.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister aware of the disgraceful situation which exists in the airport security service? Eleven men employed by the Department of Transport and Power, some of them having up to 27 years' service, are still unestablished. They are in receipt of an average of £7 per week less than their colleagues who joined the service five or six months ago. Will the Minister not agree that this is an outrageous situation? Is it not a reflection on the regard of a Government Department for their employees, some of whom have very long service?
As the Deputy must be aware, I have been making representations on their behalf——
Mr. O'Donnell
Many of them are in the Minister's constituency.
I am aware of that and I feel very strongly about their case. As the Minister for Transport and Power has pointed out, the granting of established status in the Civil Service is a statutory function of the Civil Service Commissioners with which the Minister cannot interfere. However, he has had strong pressure from me to do what he can in the matter.
Mr. O'Donnell
I would ask the Minister to do his utmost to cut the Civil Service red tape. These men have given long and faithful service to the airport security service. Surely they are entitled to be established? Why should Civil Service red tape deprive these men of £7 or £8 per week, deprive them of pension rights and deny them established status?
It is a matter of whose function this is rather than Civil Service red tape. The Civil Service Commissioners are entitled to act in this matter but I can assure the Deputy I will do all I can.
Mr. O'Donnell
I would strongly urge the Minister to do something for the men concerned.