asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his Department will provide auto-manual services at Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, when the area becomes automatic.

51.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the plans his Department have for the deployment of staff when Carrick-on-Shannon exchange, County Leitrim, goes automatic.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.

Operator services will be retained at Carrick-on-Shannon on an interim basis after automatic service is introduced in the area. The volume of operator-assisted traffic there will, however, be greatly reduced under automatic conditions and there will, therefore, be a substantial reduction in the number of staff.

Day staff who become surplus to requirements when the exchange is converted will have the option of transferring to another exchange or resigning. Staff who opt to resign will be paid compensation and transferred staff will be paid a resettlement allowance. Night staff are recruited locally for specific exchanges and are mainly part-time. It may be possible to offer a small number of them employment elsewhere. Other night staff will be paid compensation.

Can the Minister tell us how many telephonists will be retained in Carrick-on-Shannon? I believe he gave a commitment a fortnight ago that they would be retained there and that they would get an auto-manual service.

I said every sympathetic consideration would be given.

So they will get sympathy?

I met a deputation of telephonists and other people from that area a fortnight ago. I listened to what they had to say. I told them if it were physically possible to retain a local exchange in Carrick-on-Shannon, as an interim measure, to facilitate the people in the locality that would be looked at.

The Minister said that transfers would be provided to Sligo for a number of staff. Can he tell us how many staff will be transferred to Sligo? Could he also tell us how much redundancy money will be paid to the staff who will be forced to resign.

That is a very important question.

No one will be forced to go anywhere. They will be offered options. Those who opt to go to certain places will be facilitated as far as possible. The remuneration is the most generous negotiated by any trade union with a Department since the foundation of this State.

What is it?

That information has not been asked for.

It is coming up tomorrow.

Ceist 52.

It has been agreed by the trade unions concerned and by management. Everyone is pretty happy about it.

Tell us what it is.

I can give the Deputy the information if he wants it.

I have called Ceist 52.

There is a vendetta against Clifden.

The Minister said a financial contribution will be given to those who resign. He has refused to say what percentage they will be given. Am I right in saying the proposed terms are that they will be allowed six weeks pay for every year of service? Is that right or wrong?

He does not know.

There is far more to it than that. That is true.

That is the big compensation.

We must get on to the next question.

I asked the Minister two questions and I have been allowed to ask only three supplementaries. At least I am entitled to——

The Deputy is not entitled to ask any supplementary questions. That is at the discretion of the Chair.

I could give the Deputy the information but it is not customary for the House to be given information about agreements between trade unions and staff. If he wants the information I will give it to him.

Ceist 52.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

52.