asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the fact that boy messengers in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs are required to pass a written and oral examination in Irish prior to entering the Post Office Department, and a further written and oral examination in Irish at 16 years of age for appointments as postmen, he will make representations to the Civil Service Commissioners to discontinue the requirement that such boys should be required to undergo a further oral examination in Irish at 18 years of age.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Examinations in Irish for Boy Messengers.
There is no oral test in Irish for boy messengers in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs at the entrance open examination. At the qualifying examination which boy messengers are required to pass on attaining 16 years of age for appointments as established postmen, both a written and oral examination in Irish of a simple character is imposed. Candidates who qualify at the latter examination are required to pass within a period of two years, as in the case of all other classes who enter the Civil Service by open competition, an oral test in Irish as a condition of satisfying their probation for final appointments. There are only two oral tests in Irish, and not three, as stated in the question.