asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that courses for sanitary inspectors have been held at University College, Dublin, at the request of the Department of Local Government and Public Health, and that examinations have been held under the Local Appointments Commission for those who gave the requisite number of attendances in the practical and theoretical courses so held, but that none of those who attended the courses have been able to get a certificate of qualification from the university authorities, and none of those who sat for the examination have been able to get certificates from the Local Appointments Commission; and if he will say whether a number of persons who attended the course and sat for the examination have been registered at the Department of Local Government and Public Health as qualified and eligible for appointment as sanitary inspectors under the Department; and, if so, if he will say whether he is prepared to issue certificates to those persons who are so registered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Qualifications of Sanitary Inspectors.
The position is as stated in the first part of the question. I understand an official notification was issued by the Local Appointments Commissioners to those candidates who were successful at the examination in sanitation and hygiene held in Dublin and Cork in 1941. A register of the names and addresses of candidates qualified and eligible for appointment as sanitary inspectors is kept in my Department. It is not proposed to issue any certificates to persons on the register.
Why is not an official form sent to the people on the register stating simply that they had been entered on the register of the Department as persons qualifying for this type of position?
I think that the form of notification sent out by the Appointments Commissioners is equivalent to a certificate. The notice reads:—
"I have pleasure in informing you that you were successful in the examination in sanitation and hygiene held in September (October), 1941, for persons seeking eligibility for appointment as sanitary inspector."
That appears to me to be the equivalent of a certificate. These people are registered in the Department.
Has the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary not been drawn to the fact that persons who have passed the examination, when looking for positions for which their qualifications would suit them, have not found that notification from the Local Appointments Commissioners satisfactory? Has it not been indicated to him that it would be of considerable importance to them to have from the Department of Local Government a letter saying they were entered on the register of the Department as qualified persons?
I am not aware that the form of notification received from the Local Appointments Commissioners is not satisfactory evidence of the extent or value of the qualifications of the persons concerned. The Deputy is, I am sure, aware that the qualification is not recognised outside the State. These people secure employment under local authorities here and, consequently, the sanctioning of their appointments rests with the Department of Local Government. If they are on the register, there is no question regarding sanction.
A number of these people desire to make representations regarding their difficulties, and will the Parliamentary Secretary undertake that they will be seen at the Department, so that the question may be gone into?
Alternatively, perhaps they would make representations in writing which could be examined.