asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that upwards of forty men have been discharged from employment in the Galtee, Kilcoran, Scart and Callan forests; if he will state the reason for the discharge; and when these men will be accepted back into employment as the majority of them are married men with large families.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discharge of Tipperary Forestry Workers.
25.
A total of 25 men were laid off at Cahir, Callan and Galtee Forests at the end of March when the winter programme of work was completed. The reserve of land available for planting is virtually exhausted at these forests and there is also a fall in the volume of general management and maintenance work to be undertaken there. In the case of Cahir forest, where 10 men were laid off, it is hoped that it will be possible to provide employment for up to 6 of the men at a new area acquired at Shanbally, which is attached to Clogbeen forest. Apart from this, I regret that I cannot hold out any hope that it will be possible to take back any of the men laid off in this area in the near future.