asked the Minister for Finance whether in connection with the operation of a new printing machine at the drawing office of the Office of Public Works any vacancies for semi-skilled workers have arisen and been filled within the past six months, and if so, when and by what procedure such vacancies were filled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vacancies in Office of Public Works.
A plan printing machine recently installed in the Office of Public Works is operated by two adult messengers from the staff of that office, each of whom receives an allowance of 15/- a week while so engaged. The work is simple and the operators were selected following interview of all the messengers in the Office of Public Works who desired to be considered for the duties.
Might I inquire from the Parliamentary Secretary whether they advertised either publicly or within the service, these two vacancies?
They were not advertised publicly, but all the messengers in the Office of Public Works were notified about them and 11 out of 13 made application.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say by what process was suitability determined? Who decided it? Was it the Parliamentary Secretary himself?
No, it was not; it wasa board set up by the Commissioners of Public Works who, I believe, are quite competent to deal with a case of that kind and a much more important one.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether he set the board up himself?
He did not.