asked the Minister for Social Welfare what progress has been made towards arriving at a decision concerning the national health agency in Rathdrum, County Wicklow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rathdrum National Health Agency.
The arrangement whereby the Rathdrum agency was merged on a trial basis with the Wicklow agency was reviewed in December, 1955, and as the agency service to insured persons was found to be fully satisfactory it was decided to merge permanently the two agencies.
Is the Minister aware that his Department advertised this job and set up an interview board to interview applicants? In view of the fact that that was done and that a number of people applied and went to the trouble of attending this interview board, is it not strange that the Department should then turn round and merge the agencies——
The Deputy is not asking a question.
I think it is most unfair and very unsatisfactory.
I think on another occasion I told the Deputy that of all the people interviewed for the job none was found suitable and in the interim period, the agent in Wicklow was asked to take on the job. He did, and after several inspections had been carried out, it was decided he could perform the duties of agent in the two districts and he was made permanent in December of last year.
I do not remember the Minister ever having informed me that the applicants were unsuitable——
Will the Deputy remember what I said here? I did not say definitely that I told him; I said that I may have told him. But that is the fact, that of all those interviewed, the selection board found that none was suitable.