asked the Minister for Social Welfare if agents for national health insurance are now temporary civil servants since his Department assumed control of national health insurance; and, if so, whether these agents can participate in political activities and offer criticism of the Minister for Social Welfare and be members of political parties and local authorities; and, further, if this is in accordance with Civil Service practice and if it is proposed to request national health insurance agents to refrain from political activities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Health Insurance Agents—Political Activities.
A number of national health insurance agents assimilated into the Department of Social Welfare on 1st August, 1950, were on that date serving members of certain local authorities. With the exception of those who were members of old age pensions committees, these agents were permitted, as an exceptional measure, to retain membership of their respective local authorities and to continue to be free to seek re-election, but only to the local authorities of which they were members at the date of transfer. While continuing to serve as members of local authorities, they are, however, subject to the regulations governing the conduct of civil servants in political matters, which involve, inter alia, that they shall not identify themselves with matters of political interest, or comment on actions of the Government, or of any member or groups of members of the Oireachtas. A circular notice was issued to all agents at the time informing them of these regulations.
Would the Minister for Social Welfare be prepared to take a serious view of any national health insurance agent who is now a temporary civil servant presiding and speaking at political functions and, furthermore, criticising the actions of the Minister under whom he was serving?
If the Deputy will furnish me with information on the matter I am prepared to examine it.
Certainly.