asked the Minister for Defence why positions as labourers in the Corps of Engineers in Gormanston Camp are filled without advertising or reference to the employment exchange.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gormanston Camp Labourers.
41.
Vacancies for tradesmen and labourers with the Corps of Engineers at Gormanston Camp and elsewhere are normally filled from personnel nominated by the employment exchanges.
I have, however, ascertained that in one instance recently a labourer was recruited otherwise than through the medium of the employment exchange for employment at Gormanston Camp by the local foreman who is responsible for the employment of such personnel.The labourer recruited was in fact registered at the Balbriggan Employment Exchange and, by virtue of his Army service, was eligible for preference for employment in a Government Department.
Instructions are being issued with a view to ensuring that the proper procedure will be followed in the future.
Does the Minister accept that the procedure which has been used to date has been most undesirable and that this is not the first instance where this has occurred?
Again, the Deputy is not big enough to acknowledge that the Minister has said that in this case there was a departure from procedure. I have accepted that, and I have investigated the matter.
I cannot accept that this is the only case where this has happened.
Deputy Clinton is correct in stating this is not the first case. As a matter of fact, people have been told by members of the Minister's party to go into Balbriggan and sign at the exchange as a vacancy had occurred. We do not want that kind of thing to happen.
The Minister should be big enough to admit that this happens.
Perhaps the Minister could arrange matters at Gormanston as they exist in Athlone? In Athlone former members of the Defence Forces get preference for these posts. We have been a long time fighting for this in Athlone.
Former members of the services get preference for all appointments.
I shall be happy about this if it is not open to another interpretation.