asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has received proposals from the county manager of the Kildare County Council regarding the appointment and remuneration of an ambulance driver at the County Fever Hospital, Naas; and, if so, whether he has sanctioned the proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Kildare Ambulance Driver.
A proposal that a gardener employed at the County Fever Hospital, Naas, should be paid additional remuneration for driving the ambulance located at that institution has been received in the Department. Sanction to the proposal of the local authority regarding the appointment and remuneration of an ambulance driver has been accorded.
When was the proposal received and when was the sanction accorded?
I am not in a position to give the Deputy that precise information. It was not asked for.
In connection with this proposal, sanction was sought in March of last year and it was only within the last few days that sanction was forthcoming. In view of the fact that 15 months have elapsed since this matter was presented to the Department, and the county manager could not get any reply from the Department, will the Minister make investigations with the object of having decisions arrived at with more expedition?
I think a much more satisfactory way to deal with the matter would be if the Deputy put down a separate question.
It could have been dealt with long ago if the Department had not gone asleep.
If the Deputy is anxious to score a point, in view of the fact that I have not precise and detailed information at my disposal just now, he can do so.
What is the Minister talking about, so?
If the Deputy wants to elicit information, let him put down a separate question.
The Minister says he has no precise information, but he still keeps on talking.