asked the Taoiseach if he will state the total number of applications received by the Local Appointments Commission for posts as (a) county physicians and (b) county surgeons in response to recent advertisements for such medical personnel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Physicians and Surgeons.
2.
The total number of applications received was as follows:—
(a) For the posts of Co. Surgeon in Counties Cork, Laois, Monaghan and Sligo, 21. (b) For the post of Co. Surgeon, Co. Donegal, 11. (c) For the posts of Co. Physician in Cos. Cork, Donegal, Laois, Louth, Tipperary (N.R.) and the post of Physician for Cos. Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal, 22. (d) For the posts of Co. Physician in Cos. Cork, Donegal, Tipperary (N.R.) and the post of Physician, Waterford Board of Public Assistance: The required information is not yet available as the latest date for receiving completed application forms is the 26th February. If the Deputy so desires, however, I shall arrange for the information to be sent to him after that date.
May I ask the Taoiseach, with regard to the Local Appointments Commission, has there been any significant reduction in the number of applicants? Has that body not been completely ineffective or has it been boycotted?
As the Deputy will have learned from the figures I gave, a substantial number of applications were received. I could not say, without notice, whether similar posts advertised some years ago attracted a larger number of applications.