asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that Nurse Susan Ryan, who has been doing locum tenens in the position of Maternity Nurse for the Cappoquin district for the past thirteen months, and who has nineteen years' experience, as well as holding the Rotunda certificate for nursing, applied for the position as advertised by the Board of Public Assistance; whether another applicant holding another position in the district was approved of by the Appointment Commissioners, and when the matter came before the Board of Public Assistance Nurse Ryan was elected for the position, and what steps, if any, he intends taking in the matter.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - CAPPOQUIN MATERNITY NURSE.
The Local Appointments Commissioners having investigated the qualifications of the applicants for the post of midwife in the Cappoquin Dispensary District recommended Miss Eileen Mary Byrne for appointment. I am informed that Miss Susan Ryan was one of the unsuccessful candidates. On the 21st ultimo the Board of Health had the recommendation before them, but by seven votes to six they declared Miss Ryan appointed subject to the sanction of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health. On the 5th instant the Waterford County Board of Public Assistance were informed in reply that under Section 6 of the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act, 1926, it was mandatory on the Board to appoint the person recommended by the Local Appointments Commissioners and the Board were directed to carry out their duty accordingly.