asked the Minister for the Public Service if there has been a cutback on the amount of overtime working available to State employees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Employees' Overtime.
103.
I am not aware of any overall reduction in the amount of overtime working by State employees. The incidence of overtime fluctuates according to work requirements and the availability of staff. I should add that policy at all times has been to keep overtime to a minimum consistent with the need to provide adequate services. Where overtime payments constitute a significant proportion of the total pay cost of providing a service, it is appropriate that the situation be monitored carefully to ensure that all practical steps are taken to limit overtime as far as possible.
If what the Minister says is true, and I suppose I must accept it, can he give me an assurance that overtime is being allocated to individual workers on an equitable basis because there is some reason for complaint somewhere?
I should hope so. If the Deputy knows of any instances to the contrary and if he would let me know, I shall endeavour to have the matter corrected.
I shall let the Minister know of at least one in this House.
Is the Minister aware, as he obviously is, that for the first time in about 15 years there is a complete stop on overtime in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs at a time when there is a backlog of hundreds and thousands of applications for phones? One cannot get a phone repaired, never mind getting a new one installed, particularly in the north County Dublin area which is expanding rapidly and literally thousands of people are waiting for phones.
There is no truth in that at all.
Indeed there is.
Could I ask the Minister if an instruction issued from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs that all overtime must be cut back to a minimum, if not cut out altogether? Or was any instruction issued in relation to overtime in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs?
My original reply states what is the proper approach to overtime.
Did any instruction issue in relation to overtime?
I am not aware of any such instruction.
It was in the newspapers and the workers are aware of it.
(Interruptions.)
Did I understand the Minister to say that there was no delay in putting in phones?
That is a separate matter.
If he said that, it is a lie or at least an untruth.
Can the Minister say if there is any truth in the suggestion that political overtime is now being allocated in certain Departments?
Question No. 104, please.