Vol. 461 No. 1
200 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason he stated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 23 January 1996, that positions for vacancies were not advertised when the enclosed circular indicates that the vacancies for such positions were advertised in the Democratic Left newsletter, Forum (details supplied). [2680/96]
201 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost to public funds of an advertisement placed in the August 1995 issue of a magazine entitled Forum, seeking applications for five vacancies in his office; and the other newspapers or publications, if any, that these vacancies were also advertised. [2719/96]
213 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Social Welfare if in his recent employment of five advisers, he considered personnel from the long-term unemployed; and the number of those appointed who were long-term unemployed. [2511/96]
214 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of his most recently appointed five advisers that have worked previously at Democratic Left headquarters. [2512/96]
217 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the successful applicants for the vacancies in his office as per the notice in the Democratic Left Forum publication; the successful applicants, if any, who were long-term unemployed; the successful applicants, if any, who were employed immediately prior to taking up these vacancies; if so, their place of employment; the arrangements under which they were employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2555/96]
218 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the successful applicants for the vacancies in his office as per the notice in the Democratic Left Forum publication; the successful applicants, if any, who were long-term unemployed; the successful applicants, if any, who were employed immediately prior to taking up these vacancies; if so, their place of employment; the arrangements under which they were employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2556/96]
219 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of all the applicants who applied as a result of the notice in the Democratic Left Forum publication; if the necessary qualifications were specified to the said applicants; if the existing Department of Social Welfare staff were given an opportunity to apply; if the Secretary to the Department of Social Welfare was notified in advance of the decision to advertise for these positions; if the fact that these vacancies were coming up was notified in any Department of Social Welfare staff publication; if any of the trade unions representing Department of Social Welfare staff were notified in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2557/96]
220 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of all the applicants who applied as a result of the notice in the Democratic Left Forum publication; if the necessary qualifications were specified to the said applicants; if the existing Department of Social Welfare staff were given an opportunity to apply; if the Secretary to the Department of Social Welfare was notified in advance of the decision to advertise for these positions; if the fact that these vacancies were coming up was notified in any Department of Social Welfare staff publication; if any of the trade unions representing Department of Social Welfare staff were notified in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2558/96]
221 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare when it was first decided to set up a policy unit within his Department to assist him in his capacity as a party leader at Cabinet; if this was a Government decision; if not, if the Government was made aware of the proposal in advance of the decision and the ultimate decision made; the expenditure subhead of the Department of Social Welfare from which the necessary money was allocated, or earmarked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2559/96]
222 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare when it was first decided to set up a policy unit within his Department to assist him in his capacity as a party leader at Cabinet; if this was a Government decision; if not, if the Government was made aware of the proposal in advance of the decision and the ultimate decision made; out of which subhead from the Department of Social Welfare budget was the necessary money allocated, or earmarked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2560/96]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 200, 201, 213, 214, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221 and 222 together.
I draw the Deputies' attention to the replies provided to similar questions on 23 January 1996. I reject any suggestion that I misled the House in regard to this matter. The procedures followed by me in making these appointments were strictly in accordance with the standard practice to date, by current and previous office holders going back to 1973. Accordingly, announcement of these posts within the Department, or to staff unions, or by public advertisement, did not arise.
The Forum document referred to is not a magazine. It is an internal Democratic Left newsletter circulated privately and free of charge. The notice in Forum relating to my staff appointments could not be regarded as an advertisement in the commonly accepted sense of that term.
