asked the Minister for Finance if he will state how many applications were received by the Civil Service Commissioners as a result of the first advertisement issued for the vacant posts of Secretary and Assistant Secretary to the Offaly Co. Council; how many applicants were residents of the constituency of Leix and Offaly, and from what counties the remaining applications were received; whether any, and, if so, how many, of the original applicants were interviewed by the Selection Board set up by the Civil Service Commissioners, and what recommendation was made by the Selection Board; if he will state how many applications were submitted as a result of the second advertisement issued for the vacant post of Secretary, and if it is proposed to re-advertise the post of Assistant Secretary and when it is proposed to fill the vacant positions.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL VACANCIES.
Thirty-three applications for the Secretaryship and eleven for the Assistant Secretaryship of the Offaly County Council were received as a result of the first advertisement. Nine of the applications for the Secretaryship and two for the Assistant Secretaryship were received from persons giving addresses in the constituency of Leix and Offaly. The remaining applications came from addresses in ten other counties. Twelve of the applicants for the Secretaryship and three for the Assistant Secretaryship were interviewed. Forty additional applications have been received for the Secretaryship in answer to the second advertisement. The question of re-advertising the post of Assistant Secretary is still under consideration and it cannot at this stage be stated at what date the positions will be filled. The recommendations to be made to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health for appointments with which the Civil Service Commissioners are concerned are determined by the Commissioners, and not by Boards of Selection, and I am not prepared to state what recommendation was made to the Commissioners by a Selection Board in this case, or any case.
Was the first advertisement that was issued in connection with these vacant positions sanctioned by the Civil Service Commissioners and had the positions to be again advertised, simply because they were not widely enough advertised in the first instance? Why did the Civil Service Commissioners, or the Selection Board nominated by them, go to the trouble and the unnecessary expense of interviewing any candidates as a result of the first advertisement?
The second advertisements were really ordered because no suitable candidates presented themselves as a result of the first advertisement.
Was the first advertisement sanctioned by the Civil Service Commissioners?
I do not know, but I think that is irrelevant.