asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the system under which foresters employed by his Department are graded; (b) the number of foresters at present employed in each grade; (c) the wages paid to each grade, and (d) whether it is proposed to review the wages and conditions of foresters in the immediate future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Foresters' Conditions.
There are, apart from the forestry inspectorate, four grades in the outdoor forestry service, head forester, forester grade I, forester grade II, and forest foremen. The grading system is similar to that existing in other branches of the Civil Service whereby the work is assigned to the various grades in accordance with its difficulty and complexity.
The number at present serving in each grade is as follows:—Seven head foresters, 27 foresters grade I, 59 foresters grade II and 51 forest foremen. The salary scales of the various grades are set out at page 291 of the current Estimate. In addition to scale salary, each officer receives at present an allowance of £20 a year in recognition of increases in the extent of his duties and responsibilities in recent years. Wherever possible foresters and foremen are provided with free houses. Where free accommodation cannot be provided an allowance in lieu thereof is paid.
The salary scales of foresters and forest foremen are at present under review in my Department. The question of an improvement in these scales is, however, not a matter which lies solely within my discretion.
Will the Minister bear in mind, when the review to which he referred takes place, that the remuneration of foresters in this part of the country amounts only to 60 per cent. of the wages paid to foresters in Northern Ireland?
Is the Minister in a position to state whether a decision has been arrived at in regard to the question of improving the wages of forestry workers?
Could the Minister say whether it is a fact that very many of the forestry foremen are in fact doing forestry work?
It is not a fact.