asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he will have an inquiry held into the recent appointments of home assistance officers for five dispensary districts in South Kerry in view of the fact that there was (a) open canvassing done by the successful applicants, (b) that a successful applicant was a close relative of a member of the selection board and (c) that the board set up to interview the applicants had a strong political bias.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Assistance Officers.
The selection of candidates to be appointed to the office of assistance officer and the appointment of such officers are matters entirely within the discretion of the local authorities, subject to compliance with the Local Government (Officers) Regulations, 1943, made under Part II of the Local Government Act, 1941.
The charges made by the Deputy concerning recent appointments would not, if true, amount to a breach of the regulations and would not, in my opinion, invalidate the appointments. No useful purpose, therefore, would be served by holding an inquiry.
Is the Minister aware that two out of three of Deputy Flynn's pals sat on the board and appointed two Fianna Fáil members to the job?
Is the Minister aware that this was a political racket and that it was staged with the Fine Gael organisation and the county manager? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.