asked the Minister for Lands if he will make arrangements to have free transport provided for forestry workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Transport of Forestry Workers.
80.
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative.
Would the Minister not agree that some provision should be made for transport of forestry workers who are required to travel, after finishing work at one forest, a distance of ten or 12 miles to a neighbouring forest, or would he agree to a travel allowance out of which they could pay somebody to take them there? Would he consider the question of allowing them money for travel? It is a great hardship where this occurs.
The Deputy is aware that in certain exceptional cases transport is made available but I am advised that the question of free transport would cause a considerable number of difficulties, apart from the cost.
I am not aware that transport is provided. Would the Minister say under what circumstances it is provided?
It is provided in exceptional cases as, for example, to deal with forestry in isolated areas where no local labour is available.
If a group of workers have been travelling five or six miles to a forest and working in it, and the job goes 12 or 15 miles away, could not some reasonable arrangement be made between the men and the Department so that these people would not suffer hardship having to cycle or pay for transport themselves? Would the Minister look into that? The Minister can discuss it with his officials?
I will look into it. I cannot give any further guarantee.