asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of temporary postmen at present employed by his Department; and whether he will take steps to ensure that on retirement these men will receive full pension and gratuity rights.

7.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is prepared to consider the question of introducing a pension scheme for part-time auxiliary postmen.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.

The following categories of postmen are not eligible for pension on retirement: auxiliary postmen, unestablished postmen and temporary postmen. There are about 2,600 auxiliary, that is, part-time, 260 unestablished and 500 temporary postmen employed at present. The number of temporary postmen fluctuates from week to week, and many of them, who were recruited on a casual basis, have no prospect of continuous employment.

On retirement at the age of 60 years or over, auxiliary, unestablished and temporary postmen are eligible for a gratuity provided they have at least seven years service. The question of introducing a pension scheme for these postmen is a matter for consideration by the Minister for Finance.

8.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether a temporary postman (name supplied), who recently retired after 57 years service, will be granted full pension and gratuity rights as a regular postman; and the gratuity normally paid to a retiring temporary postman.

The officer referred to by the Deputy was an auxiliary or part-time postman and as such he was not eligible to receive a pension when he was retired recently at the age of 72 years. He is in receipt of an old age pension however and he will receive the usual retirement gratuity payable to part-time officers which is calculated on the basis of three-quarters of a week's pay for each year of reckonable service.

Questions Nos. 9 and 10 postponed.