asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, having regard to the exemplary manner in which for many years the national health insurance agents throughout the country have carried out their duties, he will take immediate steps to have their employment made permanent and pensionable with a standard salary for each agent.

The answer is in the negative.

Is it a fact that the position of national health insurance agent is now being described as part-time?

A number of them are part-time.

Is it not a fact that not alone can the work not be done within reasonable hours but that overtime, night-time and even Sundays have to be utilised by these agents in order to cope with the enormous amount of clerical work now associated with this position?

A large number of them are officially classified as part-time.

Is that not a misnomer? Could the Minister not possibly see his way to improve the lot of these officials and to ensure that people who have given 40 years' excellent service to the National Health Insurance Society and who performed the same function for the Department of Social Welfare, would at least get a pension or some similar reward for the services they have rendered?