asked the Minister for Local Government if the post of housing architect to the Dublin Corporation, now vacant for some years, has as yet been filled; and, if not, if he will indicate the reasons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Housing Architect.
On the death of the housing architect of the Dublin Corporation in 1948 his duties were assigned to the city architect and steps were taken to select through the Local Appointments Commission an architect to take charge of housing under the general supervision of the city architect. A permanent appointment to the office referred to has not been made because, although the Local Appointments Commissioners have held competitions on three occasions for the purpose, it has not been found possible to appoint a person possessing the prescribed qualifications for the office. Meanwhile and pending the making of a permanent appointment the office has been occupied on an acting basis by the appropriate officer of the Corporation.
Is the Minister aware that no qualified man will take the job at the salary offered?
In view of the fact that some £2,000,000 per year is spent by the Dublin Corporation on housing, will the Minister agree that it is most peculiar that this position which was occupied for some years by an architect has not been filled? Will the Minister agree that the reasons why it has not been filled are mainly two: (1) it has not yet been decided to pay a proper salary for the post; (2) that the status of the post is not of such a nature that any competent architect would accept the position? In view of the urgent necessity for completing the work of providing houses for Dublin citizens, will the Minister examine the situation again with a view to re-establishing the post of housing architect and giving the occupant of such a post the proper status and an adequate salary?
I am afraid that is a separate question.