asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health when it is proposed to fill the vacancy of county surveyor in Cork, and whether it is proposed to appoint one, two or three county surveyors for the county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork County Surveyorship.
The question as to whether there should be one or more county surveyors appointed required careful consideration owing to the size of the county and the extent of the technical duties involved. In 1940 the county council appointed two acting county surveyors. That proposal was sanctioned but the approval was given on the understanding that it would not be taken as a precedent for the appointment of two permanent county surveyors. A decision as to whether there should be one or more county surveyors will be given shortly.
Having regard to the fact that this matter is outstanding for about three years, does the Minister not consider that it is time a decision was reached on the matter?
Many changes have taken place in the general administration of the council since the vacancy first came under notice.
Is not that all the greater reason for reasonable expedition in connection with the matter?
I am not aware that the engineering services in the county have suffered. It is a question of reorganisation.
Does the Minister not agree that temporary appointments over a period of three years without any security or fixity of tenure are likely to be more unsatisfactory than a permanent arrangement? Will the Minister say whether any delay in this matter has been caused by the local authority or the manager acting for them, or whether the delay is at the Minister's own end?
There have been a number of factors making for delay in connection with this matter—the difficulty of the problem, changes in the administration which have taken place, the action of the county council, and the fact that we are responsible for ensuring that there will be a satisfactory organisation set up there.
Could the Minister give any indication as to how soon a decision will be arrived at on the matter?
Perhaps within the next three or four weeks.