asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention was directed to the advertisement published under date September 13th by the Sligo Board of Health and Public Assistance inviting applications for the position of clerk of works to supervise the erection of cottages under the Labourers Acts; and whether it has been brought to his notice that the advertisement stipulates, applicants are informed, that a degree in engineering or architecture would be desirable, and whether he has sanctioned a stipulation of this kind, and, if not, whether he will follow the procedure formerly adopted in the Department and inform the board of health in question that competent tradesmen are qualified to act as clerks of works to supervise the erection of labourers' cottages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Cottages (County Sligo).
The answer to the first portions of the question is in the negative. The proposal to advertise for candidates for the position of clerk of works was sanctioned by me on 31st August last. The Departmental regulations enable the board of health and public assistance, on the recommendation of their engineer to consider applications for the position of clerk of works on building contracts from competent tradesmen who submit evidence that they have considerable experience in a responsible capacity of work of a similar nature to that for which the supervision is required, and I am not aware that any departure from this procedure is contemplated in the present instance.
Is the Minister aware that, since these new regulations were issued by his Department, engineers have nominated their brother engineers in every case, and that no tradesman has been nominated at all?
No, that is not so.
I think, if the Minister makes enquiries, he will find that what I have said is, to a great extent, true.