Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 9

Written Answers. - Dublin Military Barracks Telephonists.

Patrick McCartan

Ceist:

104 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the present position with regard to full-time telephonists at McKee Barracks in Dublin; the number who are employed there at present; the number who are full-time employees; the way in which part-time personnel are appointed or selected; the way in which full-time telephonists have been phased out, the reason, and the number of years; the total amount of overtime per telephonist per annum over the past ten years; if he will consider reverting to the employment of an adequate number of full-time telephonists to provide the necessary telephone service at McKee Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

At present three telephonists are employed at McKee Barracks, Dublin — two full-time permanent staff and one full-time contract employee.

The internal telephone service at military barracks in Dublin is currently in the process of being improved and restructured. When completed, all Dublin barracks will be served through a single switchboard located at McKee Barracks rather than by separate switchboards at each barracks. The level of staffing at the centralised switchboard has been the subject of negotiations with the trade unions representing staff and further consultations will take place before a final decision on the appropriate staffing level is arrived at.

Telephonists are recruited by competition from candidates sought from and nominated by the National Rehabilitation Board and/or FÁS.

There was an expenditure of £6,130 on telephonist overtime at McKee Barracks in 1991. The other information regarding overtime sought in the question is not readily available and a disproportionate amount of time would be required to extract it.

The service of full-time telephonists will continue to be required at McKee Barracks.