asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has had under consideration the position of the outdoor staff employed on the farm improvements scheme and if it is proposed to make any improvement in their rate of wages and conditions of service in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Improvements Scheme Staff.
The question of the terms of employment of the outdoor staff of supervisors employed in the administration of the farm improvements scheme, together with the cases of certain other unestablished and temporary grades on the Department's staff, is at present under consideration by my Department.
What does that mean? Does it mean that a decision will be reached in a month or six months or 12 months? Will the Minister give some indication to these people as to the length of time during which this matter will be under consideration?
I will do more. I will give a guarantee to these people that the decision will be reached in much less than 16 years.
The Minister is conscious of the fact that these people have not been employed for that period.
There are others in that category who have been.