asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if the appointment of a clerk of works made recently by the Galway Board of Health in connection with the erection of labourers' cottages in the Galway rural area has been submitted to his Department for sanction; and, if so, if he will state what are the qualifications of the person proposed for appointment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Clerk of Works.
Mr. Brodrick
I have sanctioned the appointment made by the Galway Board of Health of a clerk of works in connection with the erection of labourers' cottages in the Galway rural district area. The person appointed is a qualified tradesman and has had considerable experience of building work.
Mr. Brodrick
Arising out of the Minister's answer, will he let us know the number of candidates in connection with this particular position, and if the qualifications of all the candidates have reached him?
The Galway Board of Health advertised for applications, and six applications were received. With regard to three of them, I have a note here—F. Hawkins, Shantalla, Galway; P. Qualter, Abbey Row, Athenry; F. P. Holland, B.E., San Antonio Terrace, Salthill, Galway. The engineers for the district examined the candidates and reported to the Board that these three were suitable for the position. The Board unanimously approved of Hawkins' appointment and sanction issued.
Mr. Brodrick
Did I understand the Minister to say that an examination had been held of the candidates and that three were shown to be suitable for the position?
That is what I gather, that the engineers examined them. My information is that the engineers for the district examined the candidates. I take it that means the six were examined. They reported that three of them were suitable for the position.
Mr. Brodrick
Perhaps the Minister will make further inquiries and he might find out from the Board of Health or the engineers that certainly one of the three candidates had not been examined. I admit the Minister is acting all right, but I would like to say that the man who has not been examined has already occupied the position of clerk of works on a £30,000 job. I understand that the man who has been appointed has no experience whatsoever of building.
It is stated here that Mr. F. Hawkins acted as foreman for Messrs. T. O'Higgins & Co., Galway, and that he has 19 years' building experience.
Mr. Brodrick
I will ask the Minister to make further inquiries. We do not want a condition of things to happen in Galway such as happened in the President's constituency, where, out of every 35 buildings, only seven were fit for habitation. That is what I mean when I suggest we should have qualified men.
This man is described as a qualified tradesman.
Mr. Brodrick
I say that one of the three men was never examined.
He might not have come for examination; he may have been called and did not appear.