asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that, in March, 1945, two temporary minor clerks in the employment of the Dublin Board of Assistance were appointed by the commissioners for the board to the positions of temporary inspectors for home assistance, and subsequently as acting assistant superintendents for home assistance; that these two persons had no previous experience of the duties of home assistance officers, that one of them has less than three years' residence in Dublin, and that by their appointments they have been placed in superior positions over officers who have, in certain cases, nearly 30 years' experience of the duties of home assistance officers; and, if so, if he proposes to sanction the appointment of these two officers, thereby disregarding the meritorious claims of the officers senior in service, and fully competent and experienced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Board of Assistance Appointments.
A temporary inspector in the fuel section and a temporary clerical assistant in the home assistance section of the Dublin Board of Assistance were transferred at the end of February last by the commissioners for the purpose of assisting temporarily the superintendent assistance officers in investigating home assistance cases. The two persons had no previous experience of the duties of assistance officers. Their employment did not involve their being placed in positions over assistance officers, as they were appointed specially to assist the superintendent assistance officers, and worked under their control and direction. The period of employment was then stated by the commissioners to be limited to a period of three months, and as the question of permanent employment was in no way involved, I saw no reason to interfere with the discretion of the commissioners in the arrangements which they considered it necessary to make. The commissioners have now proposed an extension of the arrangements for a further period of three months, and inquiries are being made as to the necessity therefor.