asked the Minister for Lands if forestry workers have been or are likely to be laid off in the Macroom forestry division, County Cork; and if, in view of the hardship involved, he will take steps to provide continued employment for them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Macroom Forestry Workers.
34.
Three men will be laid off at Macroom Forest at the end of this week as a result of an unavoidable reduction in the volume of work at the nursery attached to the forest. I regret that there is no immediate prospect of re-employment for these men at the forest.
Would the Minister be able to say what acreage is covered by that forest and the number of men employed there?
The number of men employed there at present is 42.
Has the Minister got the acreage?
I am afraid I have not.
Would the Minister not agree that the laying-off of three men in what must be a very sizeable area seems to be an economy which could very well be done without? I think the Forestry Division are falling down on this all over the place, laying-off one or two or three men when they could easily carry them. God knows, it is not as if the wage they pay is large.