asked the Minister for Lands if he will extend pension rights similar to those of local authority manual employees to forestry workers employed by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension Rights for Forestry Workers.
81.
This a matter affecting a number of similar groups of employees in the State service and there are no special grounds which would warrant more favourable treatment of forestry workers in this regard than of the other groups.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware—I am sorry —is the Minister aware——
It is mixing with all those artists that has the Deputy confused.
Is the Minister aware that the men employed by the forestry division are on a par with manual workers employed by local authorities? Surely if that was so he will agree that there is an unanswerable case for a pension scheme for forestry workers?
I am afraid the matter is not quite as simple as that. The Deputy is aware that this is something I cannot decide on my own. It concerns several other similar type groups in the State service and it cannot be considered as an individual case.
Can the Minister say if since he was appointed, he has had any discussions with his beloved brother-in-arms, the Minister for Finance, on this question, and is there any likelihood of a scheme being implemented to provide retirement allowances for forestry workers, to which they are justifiably entitled?
I am afraid I cannot answer that type of hypothetical question.
Is the Minister aware that the Department over which he now presides have failed so far to reach agreement or make a reasonable offer on numerous things including this pension scheme? They have made an offer of 15/- a week which——
I am aware that the matter is being discussed between my Department and the trade unions.
No, it is not. We met the Department three weeks ago and we have not heard a word from them since.
Are there any discussions between the Department of Lands and the Department of Finance at present in regard to the formulation of a pensions scheme for forestry workers? Are there any discussions between the two Departments?
This matter concerns other Departments apart from the Department of Lands.
I thought the Minister for Finance was in charge of them all.