asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state (a) the number and salaries of veterinary officers employed by his Department, and (b) the total number employed and the amount of salaries paid by local authorities to veterinary surgeons and sanctioned by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Veterinary Officers.
There are two superintending veterinary officers on the staff of the Department. They are on a scale of salary ranging from £400 to £600 with cost-of-living bonus. Veterinary officers employed by local authorities are engaged on public health duties and on duties connected with the administration of the Diseases of Animals Acts under the Department of Agriculture. They are mainly part-time officers of the local authority. The number engaged on public health duties is 124, and salaries paid to them for such duties amount to £23,000 approximately.