asked the Minister for Lands whether he is prepared to sanction an increase in wages for forestry workers generally; and, if not, whether he will state the grounds for his refusal to do so; further, whether he will state, for the information of forestry workers, generally, the policy of his Department towards wage standards of forestry workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Wages.
The rate of wages payable to forestry labourers is bound up with the remuneration of all labourers in Government employment and is, therefore, not a matter for decision solely by my Department. Decisions of the Agricultural Wages Board are taken into account in fixing the wages. The present basic wage rate per hour for forestry labour is higher than the rate for agricultural labour.