asked the Minister for Local Government how the salary and conditions of the Dublin city architect are determined; and who decides what they should be and the manner in which they should be related to outside employment.
38.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City Architect.
37.
asked the Minister for Local Government how the salary and conditions offered by the Dublin Corporation for the position of city architect compare with (a) those of comparable posts with other local authorities and (b) those extended to architects in private employment operating within the County Borough of Dublin.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.
The initiative in determining the salary and conditions for an office under a local authority, including the office of Dublin city architect, rests with the local authority concerned. My sanction is necessary, however, to the salary proposed to be applied by a local authority to any of its offices. Comparisons with outside employment are not necessarily a decisive factor in determining the appropriate salary for a local authority office.
I have no detailed information as to how the present salary and conditions for the office of city architect compare with the salaries and conditions of architects in private employment in the Dublin area but they are the same as the salaries and conditions of the offices of Dublin city engineer and Dublin planning officer which are the only comparable posts in the local authority service.
39.
asked the Minister for Local Government how long the position of Dublin city architect has been vacant; and what proposals, if any, he has to fill this important position.
The post has been vacant since 27th July, 1965. The making of a new appointment to the office is a matter for Dublin Corporation acting on a recommendation of the Local Appointments Commissioners.
(Cavan): Could the Minister explain why it appears to be so difficult to find a suitable applicant for this post?
I think I heard the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach answering a question to the effect that the possibility of appointing candidates to these posts was still being considered by the Local Appointments Commission.
(Cavan): Does the Minister agree that it appears to be highly undesirable that the city of Dublin should be left without a full-time architect?
Yes.
(Cavan): Will the Minister, in co-operation with Dublin Corporation, do whatever is necessary to make this position sufficiently attractive to a suitable applicant?
Every effort will be made to have the position filled.