Vol. 180 No. 1
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that some employees of the Forestry Section of his Department at Woodlawn, County Galway, have had their employment terminated; and that one of these employees had fourteen years of service with his Department; and if he will have this man reinstated.
13.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that many people in forestry centres throughout County Galway have lost their employment recently; and what remedial measures he proposes to introduce with a view to improving the position.
I propose, with the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
There has been no general reduction in forestry employment in Co. Galway recently. Current employment is, in fact, higher than the employment level at the beginning of the Winter season. At the end of the planting season, that is at the end of March or early in April, there may be reductions at some centres but this has always been a normal feature of forestry employment.
As regards Woodlawn Forest, the position is that nine men were laid off recently as the programme of work for the current season was practically completed. It is hoped that it will be possible to re-employ the men next month when the programme of work for the summer season is commenced.
On the general work position in County Galway, I can say that this year's planting programme in the county totals 2,440 acres, the highest ever undertaken there. Next year's programme has not yet been finally settled but I have every hope that it will be at least as big as this year's. I can assure the Deputies that everything possible will be done to maintain forestry employment in the county at the highest possible level.
Would the Minister advert to the fact that special reference is made to one employee who had 14 years' continuous service with the Department? Is it not possible, in the ordinary arrangements connected with forestry, to avoid disemploying a permanent employee of that kind, if the gap in general employment is no more than a couple of months?
It is the practice, I understand, to give priority, if priority arises, to people with long service in the Forestry Section. In this situation, it is necessary at times to lay the men off and as far as my information goes, it would not be possible to keep on men such as the man referred to until the Section is ready for the new programme.
Will the Minister bear in mind that even in a strictly commercial enterprise it is not the practice with an old permanent employee, to leave him off for a month or two, whereas with ordinary temporary staff that may be a recognised practice? Would he consider the possibility, in regard to a permanent employee with a long term of service, of taking some steps to avoid a serious hiatus in his employment which can create disproportionate family suffering where a man is depending on that occupation for his livelihood?
I appreciate the point which the Deputy has made. As I said, I think it is the practice if it is at all possible, not to lay off men with long service. Where the Forestry Section are compelled by circumstances to lay them off, the men with the longer service get a high priority in coming back.
