asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) the number of applicants for appointment to the post of chief medical officer to the Civil Service which was advertised in November, 1953; (b) the number who had the necessary qualifications and (c) why no applicant was appointed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Chief Medical Officer to the Civil Service.
As regards (a) of the Deputy's question the number of applicants was 19. As to (b) and (c) it is not the practice to make public information of this nature.
Mr. Collins
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state why, in the advertisement of 26th February, 1954, for the post of chief medical officer to the Civil Service, there has been a radical change in the conditions and qualifications as compared with the previous advertisement.
The earlier advertisement related to the competition recently held for the post of chief medical officer for the Civil Service; it was not found possible to make an appointment from that competition.
The later advertisement relates to a fresh competition now being held. Apart from a more detailed statement of the type of experience required, the changes as compared with the previous advertisement were, firstly, the granting of a higher initial salary in certain cases and, secondly, the admission of medical practitioners with a minimum of eight instead of ten years' standing. These changes were made with a view to widening the field of candidature for the post.