asked the Minister for Lands if he will be able to re-employ redundant forestry workers in the immediate future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundant Forestry Workers.
23.
There is in the normal course some seasonal variation in overall forest employment but it is not possible to forecast the precise pattern of future employment at each forest. There is no prospect of a significant expansion of forest employment in the near future.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that some of these redundant forestry workers who have been dismissed will be reemployed in the near future?
The Minister said the opposite: there is no hope for them.
I said that in the overall picture there is no prospect of a significant expansion of forestry employment in the near future.
In fact, it will be going down.
Going down.
Will the Minister indicate if there will be any further redundancy in the near future?
It all depends on the situation in each individual forest. There could be an expansion of employment in some forest areas and a reduction in others.
Can the Minister say if this is for financial reasons, that the money is not available?
No. Sufficient money has already been voted by Dáil Éireann to carry out the full planting programme, if it is achieved.
The acreage being planted has dropped from 25,000 to 20,000.
Has the Minister any plans, in collaboration with the Minister for Labour, for getting employment for these people?
I have plans for carrying out the full forestry programme as announced in Dáil Éireann and the Vote for which was passed by this House, which is 25,000 acres for planting.
The acreage being planted last year was 25,000 and it has dropped to under 20,000.
Are we to take it there is no hope for forestry workers as long as the Minister is Minister for Lands?
There is at least three times as much forestry being planted under my administration as was ever planted by anybody associated with the Deputy in any year.
I am not talking about forestry; I am talking about forestry workers. There is no hope for forestry workers.
There is more hope for them now than there was.