asked the Minister for Labour the number of additional staff appointed in his Department and the changes made in personnel since 15th March, 1973; the reasons for the additions and changes; and the names of staff employed on public relations and their qualifications for such offices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour Department Personnel.
11.
A personal assistant was appointed on 20th March, 1973. The staff of the employment exchanges and certain supporting Headquarters staff numbering 673 in all, was transferred to the Department of Social Welfare on 1st April, 1973. The transfer was in accordance with an earlier decision of the previous Government that the exchanges should revert to the Department of Social Welfare when the National Manpower Service had reached a sufficient stage of development.
There is an information officer attached to the Manpower Service of my Department. He was appointed following an open competition conducted by the Civil Service Commission in 1966.
Is it not true that the Minister has taken into his employment the man who was responsible for keeping Dr. O'Connell so prominent in the Press in recent years?
That is not true.