asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that the wages paid to forestry workers in the Kilrush district of County Clare are 30/- a week plus bonus; that this rate is considered totally inadequate for the district, and is giving rise to unrest amongst the men concerned; further, whether he will consider reviewing and revising the wages conditions applying to these workers with a view to a substantial improvement, and, if so, whether he will indicate if a revised scale will be put into operation before the opening of the next planting season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages of Clare Forestry Workers.
The Deputy appears to be misinformed regarding the remuneration of labourers employed at the State Forest, Kilrush, County Clare. The rate of wages payable to these labourers is 39/- a week, inclusive, for a 48-hour week. In addition, a differential of 2/- a week over and above the normal rate is paid to a number of the labourers with long service and experience. I am not aware that the rate payable at Kilrush Forest is considered to be totally inadequate for the district or that it has occasioned unrest amongst the labourers concerned. The rate compares favourably with the minimum rate of 40/- a week payable in the district to agricultural labourers in respect of a 54-hour week under the Agricultural Wages (Minimum Rates) Order, 1944. The wages of forestry labourers are related to the rates payable to other classes of labourers in Government employment and may not be altered at the sole discretion of my Department. It is the practice to review the rates of wages of forestry labourers in the light of the variations in the minimum rates payable to agricultural labourers under orders promulgated from time to time by the Agricultural Wages Board. The rates were last reviewed in February, 1944, following the Agricultural Wages (Minimum Rates) Order, 1944, and an increase of 4/- a week was then granted to forestry labourers.
Has the Minister not consulted with his Department in order to set up a living wage standard, as these workers are the lowest paid in the State? Are you going to improve the conditions of these workers, or are you going to let them die from hunger on 39/- per week?
I pointed out in my reply that the wages of forestry labourers are conditioned by the local rates for agricultural labourers in the district and may not be altered at the sole discretion of my Department.
Is the Minister aware that there are agricultural labourers in my constituency earning £3 and £3 5s. Od. per week? There is no relation whatever between the wages paid to these forestry workers and what is being paid by local farmers.