asked the Minister for Labour the number of new posts created within his Department from April, 1973, to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Posts.
2.
131 new posts were sanctioned from my Department since April, 1973.
Can the Minister say how many of these posts were filled through the medium of the Civil Service Commission?
All of them, I think. In 1973, 72 new posts in the National Manpower Service, EEC section, Labour Court and equal pay offices. All of these posts would come through the Civil Service Commission.
I should like to ask the Minister how many of those posts were created in his own office?
There was one post in my own office.
Was that post filled through the Civil Service Commission?
No, of course, it would not be.
Why did the Minister say that all the posts were filled through the Civil Service Commission?
I said: "almost all", and I listed them.
Is the Minister positive he said "almost all the posts were"? If we probed further we might find a lot more——
There is no need to probe. I have declared fully the appointments made in my office when previous questions were asked in the House on that topic.
We will get more information.
There is no need to get more; you have got it all already. It is open Government.
Did the Minister say that only one person was recruited to his Department other than through the Civil Service Commission?
If there were questions relating to the staffing at my office put down I would supply the information exactly. I was asked a question about the number of posts created in my Department since April, 1973, and I have given a reply to that. I was then asked a further question as to how many of those came through the Civil Service Commission. I looked through my brief and it appears that all of them came through the Civil Service Commission.
There was an exception a few years ago.
Did the Minister say that only one post in his Department was filled other than through the Civil Service Commission?
I have indicated, and this is well known in the House because questions were asked about it, that Ministers of the Government have appointed advisers in their Departments who do not have the grade of civil servant, are not part of the career structure of the Department proper. Full information has been given to the House on these appointments as they came up.
More jobs for the boys.
The jobs have been given on qualification.
How many of those were appointed——
I have one such in my Department.
I ask the protection of the Chair to be allowed to ask a supplementary question without being bitten by the Minister. How many were appointed by the Minister to his office?
One.
Is that since 1st January or since the Minister took office?
It is since I took office.