asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the former secretary to the South Cork Board of Health, who retired, on reaching the age of 65 years, in February, 1947, has been granted an annual pension of £600 plus £150 in respect of the duties executed by him as registrar of births, deaths and marriages in the South Cork Board of Health area; that this official has retained the position of registrar and is in receipt of fees of about £1,200 a year which should go to the credit of the ratepayers of the area; and if he will state what steps, if any, he proposes to take to end this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Official's Position.
I am aware that the late secretary to the South Cork Board has retired. I am not aware what pension, if any, has been granted to him. That matter would be dealt with by the Minister for Local Government. I am informed that no proposal of that nature has been submitted to him.
I understand that the late secretary still holds the position of interim superintendent registrar for the South Cork area. The position in regard to that office is complicated and I am not yet clear as to what measures will be necessary to clarify it. This matter is being actively pursued by me.
This is a rather serious situation. I should like to know, if legislation is required, when does the Minister intend to introduce that legislation? The present position means that the ratepayers are losing £1,200 a year. It is an anomaly to have a man drawing a pension for a job he still holds. The fees amounted to £1,200 and he is drawing a pension of £150. It would be a joke if it were not such a serious matter. If the Minister says that it is necessary to have legislation introduced to deal with the matter, I should like to know when he proposes to introduce that legislation. Otherwise we shall have to surcharge the Minister.
The Deputy did not catch what I said. I said that the man had got no pension yet.