asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that appointments. under his Department as quantity surveyors are confined to members of the Irish branch of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, who use the designation F.R.I.C.S., and A.R.I.C.S.; that the Institute of Quantity Surveyors has an Irish branch, and that its members use the designation F.I.Q.S. and A.I.Q.S.; and, if so, if he is prepared to accept applications from members of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quantity Surveyors.
Appointments as quantity surveyors are not made by my Department, with the exception of those for the three regional sanatoria where appointments have already been made. In the case of other hospital works the appointment of quantity surveyors is primarily the responsibility of the authority sponsoring the project and my function is limited to that of sanctioning such appointments as are submitted to me. I am aware that up to the present sanction has been given only to the appointment of members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. I am, however, having the position of members of the other institution referred to by the Deputy investigated in relation to appointments with which I am concerned as Minister for Health.