asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the forestry workers employed by his Department in the State forest at Baunreagh, Mountrath, Laoighis, have recently received an increase of 1/- a week in their wages; if he is satisfied that this increase is sufficient to meet the continued rise in the cost of living; and if he will review the wages of all forestry workers, with a view to the payment of better scales, as their work is of great national benefit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Wages.
The wages of forestry labourers in the Mountrath district and elsewhere are related to the rates of wages payable to other classes of labourers in Government employment and are reviewed from time to time in the light of the rates prescribed for agricultural labourers by the Agricultural Wages Board. The recent increase of 1/- a week to which the Deputy refers resulted in equating the minimum forestry wage for a 48-hour week to the minimum agricultural wage for a 54-hour week.
The increased rates of pay of forestry labourers were fixed subsequent to the latest wages order of the Agricultural Wages Board, and the rates of pay will be reviewed whenever the board makes a new wages order.
Is the Minister aware that forestry workers are the lowest paid workers in this State? Does he consider an increase of 1/- a week a reasonable one to offer to workmen at the present time? I think it is an insult to them.