asked the Minister for Agriculture who is in charge of the butter testing station at Dublin; when the appointment was made; what is the salary attached to the post; and what qualifications are necessary for this appointment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Testing Station Appointment.
34.
1. The officer in charge at the butter testing station is the chief technical officer who, in turn, is responsible to the senior inspector in charge of the dairying inspectorate group.
2. The appointment was made on 1st May, 1958, resulting from an open competition conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners.
3. The standard rate of pay for the post is £965 × £30—£1,130 (man), or £800 × £25—£965 (woman), which is subject to the usual percentage additions in each case.
4. The qualifications advertised for the post were:—(a) A recognised honours university degree in dairy science or in science, or a qualification equivalent to either of these; (b) satisfactory training and experience in the chemical analysis of food and water; (c) satisfactory training in bacteriology.
Can the Minister say how many candidates there were for these examinations?
I could not. I could only say there were three competitions to fill this post; that in regard to the first, a recommendation was made and the individual recommended did not accept; in regard to the second, there was no suitable applicant at all; and in regard to the third, this recommendation was made and the appointment made.
I take it that a further question, when the Minister has time to examine it, would be the question of the number of candidates in this third examination?
This appointee was recommended as a result of the operations of the Civil Service Commissioners and I have nothing whatever to do with it. I know nothing about the number of applicants.
Doubtless a question addressed to the Taoiseach will elicit the information.