asked the Minister for Lands whether he has received representations from forestry workers for the establishment of a pension scheme; and, if so, whether he proposes to establish such a scheme, and when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension Scheme for Forestry Workers.
30.
I have received representations from time to time in this matter. With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, 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.
Have not other groups of employees in the State service, who have a permanent job, the benefit of a pension scheme, as have all local authority workers?
I did not hear the Deputy?
Have not a great many groups of workers who have permanent work under the public authorities, whether Government or local authorities, the benefit of a pension scheme now?
Some have, but in restricted classes. Although in recent years there have been trends towards greater continuity in employment in the Forestry Division, the recruitment is still on the basis of day-to-day employment through the employment exchange as it is in respect of the labour staff recruited by the Office of Public Works, the Land Commission and the Department of Agriculture and employees under the Special Employment Schemes Office, so the forestry workers are really in no different position. If there were a scheme of this kind, it would have to be a scheme on a wide basis as there is no ground for singling out forestry workers in this regard. They are on a day-to-day basis of employment.
Would the Minister not see some identity between the character of the employment provided by the Forestry Division and that provided by local authorities to road workers? Further, is it not true that the local authorities have found it possible to establish a superannuation scheme for road workers and on that analogy, does the Minister not think the time is overdue for the extension of such a scheme to forestry workers?
It is not correct to say that generally speaking, the ordinary workers of the local authorities are pensionable. There are some categories, such as gangers of long standing and so forth, who are now pensionable.
I think the Minister is wrong.
The Deputy will also appreciate that if any such scheme as this were introduced, it would be a contributory scheme and so far my information is that there is no general demand from forestry workers for a scheme of this kind.
Is the Minister aware that a majority of the road workers in this country are in a pension scheme?
I know that this allegation is made and I have made inquiries and I am not satisfied that the majority, or anything like the majority, of road workers are in a pension scheme.
That is wrong.
Surely the Minister has made several misstatements? Is it not correct that there is no comparison between the other types of workers he mentioned and the forestry workers, because workers for the Board of Works and the Land Commission are on a job only for a short time while forestry workers are continuously doing the work? Secondly, is it not correct that all county council employees who have 200 days in any one year are pensionable servants? Surely the Minister should know that?
It is not correct to say that forestry workers, generally speaking, are permanently employed. Unfortunately that is not so. As the Deputy is well aware, in many forestry areas their employment is of a temporary nature for a short period——
Some of them.
——until there is a sufficient build-up of forestry reserve. Some of their more fortunate colleagues, when work is finished in one area and there is a sufficient intake of land, are re-employed nearby, but, generally speaking, the forestry workers are still on a day-to-day basis and that must continue for some years until a sufficient reserve of land is built up by the Forestry Division to create a nucleus of more permanent employment for the whole staff.
I think that is daft.
I know it is daft.