andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether his Department is having difficulty with the recruitment of medical referees in the Department; and, if so, what action is being taken by him to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Referees.
18.
Dr. Browne, Mr. M. O'Leary
While there have been some difficulties in the past, my Department is not at present having difficulty with the recruitment of medical referees. All the posts of medical referee in the Department are filled.
19.
Dr. Browne, Mr. M. O'Leary
andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he has received representations from the Irish Medical Union about the pay, conditions of service and working conditions of medical referees in his Department; if so, when these representations were first made and what action he has taken to deal with the problem.
Representations were received from the Irish Medical Union in 1967 about the pay and conditions of service of medical referees in my Department and in reply to a question on 4th July, 1967, my predecessor explained why he thought it would not be appropriate for him to enter into discussion on the matter with that body. A claim on behalf of the medical referees was made, however, on the 27th May, 1969, by the appropriate negotiating body, the Institute of Professional Civil Servants. This claim is at present being discussed and the Deputies will appreciate that it would not be proper for me to make any comment on it at this stage.