asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider the propriety of introducing proposals for legislation whereby applicants for the position of rate collector be required to submit to a competitive examination (Leaving Certificate standard), the merit of their answering thereat to be the determining factor in the eventual appointment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Rate Collectors.
Legislation is not necessary for the purpose the Deputy has in mind. Under Article 26 of the Local Government (Officers) Regulations, 1943, selection for every local office must be by way of competitive examination unless the local authority, which in the case of county rate collectors is the elected body, specifically decide that, having regard to the nature of the duties of the office, the knowledge and experience necessary for the efficient performance of those duties, and the qualifications for the office the person to be appointed to the office cannot be satisfactorily selected by competitive examination, and that the person is to be selected by some other specified procedure. I do not propose to alter this regulation.
Is there any difficulty in collecting the rates through the offices of the county council?
That is a separate question.
It is an entirely different question.