asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the failure of his Department to make a permanent appointment as a clerical officer grade 3 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that on 31 March, 1988 the person was informed by the personnel section in the Mid-Western Health Board that he could take up duty; the reason his Department insists that a contractual arrangement should have been entered into in writing prior to 31 March, 1987 despite a radio interview by the Taoiseach shortly after the budget of 1987 in which he stated that anybody whose appointment was due, would be appointed if he had completed satisfactory medical tests and interviews prior to 31 March, 1987; whether he is aware that the person fulfilled all requirements for appointment and should in justice and fairness, be appointed.
Written Answers. - Appointment of Clerical Officer.
148.
The making of permanent appointments is a matter for the employing authority which in the case cited is the Mid Western Health Board. Government policy on the non-filling of vacancies was communicated to all health agencies by circular dated 23 April 1987. This direction provided inter alia that written contractual arrangements entered into prior to 31 March 1987 would be honoured. No such contractual arrangement existed in the case of the individual referred to and consequently his appointment could not proceed.