asked the Minister for Lands whether he has yet reached a decision in regard to the wages to be paid to forestry workers, who are under 19 years of age, and, if so, the nature of such decision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Wages.
It has been the settled practice of this Department for many years to pay a lower rate of wages to workers under 19 years of age and no reason is seen for departure from that practice which operates in many fields of employment.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will consider increasing the wages, which at present amount to only £4 10s. a week, less insurance, of forestry workers in County Waterford.
The wages of forestry workers are fixed by reference to the rates payable to county council road workers. Forestry workers in County Waterford are, accordingly, being paid the wage-rate appropriate to road workers in that county. Any alteration in the road workers' wage-rate will be applied to the forestry workers.
Arising out of his reply, would the Minister say if these men are getting the same conditions as those employed by the county council?
I can assure the Deputy that their conditions are much better.
Can the Minister assure me that they are getting at least the same conditions?
I should not like to reduce them to the conditions of the county council employees.
This question refers to wages only.