asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that in March, 1945, two temporary minor clerks employed by the Dublin Board of Assistance, and having no experience of the administration of home assistance, were appointed by the commissioners administering the affairs of the Dublin Board of Assistance, on a temporary basis, to positions as temporary inspectors in the home assistance section, and subsequently as temporary assistant superintendent assistance officers; whether, in the making of such appointments, due consideration was given to the claims of permanent home assistance officers having long and meritorious service; and finally, whether in view of all the circumstances, he will arrange to have the two appointments in question terminated forthwith and the vacancies, if such exist, on the superintendent assistance staff, filled by suitable persons from among the permanent home assistance officers, having due regard to the service, experience and personal suitability of the applicants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointments of Home Assistance Officers.
I have already supplied the Deputy with all the information available in regard to the temporary appointments made by the commissioners for the Dublin Board of Assistance of assist the superintendent assistance officer in the investigation of home assistance cases. The commissioners were satisfied that the two persons selected by them for this purpose are of the type required for making independent investigations and reports to the superintendent assistance officer. The Period of temporary employment has been extended because of the retirement of the superintendent assistance officer and the death of the assistant superintendent assistance officer. The two persons employed are not graded as temporary assistant superintendent assistance officers and their temporary employment need not affect the relative position of the permanent or temporary assistance officers when future arrangements for the appointment of permanent supervising staff and the reorganisation of the home assistance section of the commissioners' office have been finally determined.
The Parliamentary Secretary will recall that these appointments were originally made in March of last year and thus have been held for nearly 12 months. The permanent officers feel that something in the nature of a reflection has been cast on either their ability or trustworthiness to perform the duties which fall to be performed by these temporary appointees. Will he now give further consideration to the fact that vacancies for permanent officers will now arise and that the permanent officers should be given an opportunity of securing them? Further, with regard to these appointments, the two officers appointed have no direct financial responsibility. They are not liable to a surcharge and yet they have been appointed to these two vacancies, their salaries being increased by £1 per week, over the heads of permanent officers.
The Deputy is aware that they have been appointed in a temporary capacity. It will be open to the permanent assistance officers to apply for the permanent posts when they come to be filled.