asked the Minister for Lands if he will indicate the numbers of persons laid off by the forestry division (a) all over Ireland and (b) in West Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Employment.
The total number employed at all forests in the week ended 26th September, 1952, was 3,567; during the week ended 3rd October, 1952, the number employed was 3,442, a reduction of 125. The corresponding figures for West Cork forests are 67 and 61 men respectively.
Is the falling off in employment the direct responsibility of the Government in stepping down the forestry programme?
I think the Deputy will recognise that there are seasonal fluctuations in the amount of employment given in the forestry branch.
Having regard to the amount of land that is on offer and that has been acquired in West Cork there should not be a falling off in employment.
The Deputy probably knows a great deal about the technical side of forestry but he will know a great deal about it if he can guarantee to maintain precisely the same amount of employment in connection with afforestation throughout the whole year.
Surely the Minister does not tell us that, just when the planting season, the heaviest part of the work for the department for the whole year is commencing, it is reasonable to expect the laying off of men?
It shows what the Minister knows about the technical side.
When the planting season is started there will probably be more men taken on.
They are being laid off at every forestry centre throughout the country as far as I hear.