asked the Minister for Defence the reason a temporary position of stoker at the Curragh Camp was not given to a person (details supplied) who has four year's experience of the job.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Curragh Camp Post
13.
: Vacancies for temporary stokers employed each year at the Curragh Camp for the heating season are filled through the National Manpower Service. The person concerned was one of a large number of persons nominated by that service for a limited number of posts in September 1980. He was interviewed by a selection board but was not successful in obtaining an appointment.
: Would the Minister say if the person who was doing it for the last four years was recommended for the position?
: Not by the interview board.
: Is it not a fact that this is a blatant case of a political appointment to a minor job.
: No. There were 40 applicants for 10 positions this year. It is not correct to say he had been in the job for the past four years. He did not present himself for this type of employment in 1979-80. He had previous experience prior to that. He was interviewed by the selection board but was not successful.
: Would the Minister have another look at his information because my information is that he was in the temporary position for the last four years, that he applied again and was given to understand there would be no reason for not employing him. When the Minister is checking would he find out how many applicants there were in the previous years? If he was able to be appointed out of a field of 40 applicants in other years surely there would have been nothing unusual in appointing him again if there was no need to appoint somebody else who was better placed in the organisation.
: I will check and let the Deputy know.