asked the Minister for Lands if he will now introduce a pension scheme for forestry workers employed by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension Scheme for Forestry Workers.
30.
The answer is in the negative. I am not satisfied that there are any special grounds which would warrant more favourable treatment of forestry workers in this regard than of other similar groups of employees in the State service.
County Council workers have a pension scheme.
Very few of them, in a very limited class.
Surely the Minister does not know what he is talking about? In reply to a question last week, it was stated that, with the exception of one or two local authorities, all local authorities now operate a pension scheme.
That is not the information I have. I understand there are only a limited number of permanent county council employees who are within a pension scheme. In some counties down through the years, they did not operate their own system as in other counties.
Does the Minister not think it desirable to have a pension scheme established for State workers?
I do, when circumstances so permit and when there is a sufficient forestry reserve built up in this country in some years' time, when we have a continuous labour pool of men, undoubtedly a pension scheme will then——
Could it not at least be established for those who have been with the Forestry Division for the past 30 years?
At present I do not think a pension scheme for forestry workers generally would be feasible.
They do qualify for the contributory pension.
The Minister should get up to date information about county council workers.