asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in respect of forests in Counties Donegal, Tipperary and Waterford the steps taken to minimise redundancies following publication of the £20 million programme for relief of unemployment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Employment.
37.
With the restoration of the planting programme to 25,000 acres, a further 500 acres was added to the programme in Donegal and an additional 200 acres in Tipperary. The lack of plantable reserve did not permit of any increase in the programme in Waterford.
These increases made possible the retention of some 14 men who would otherwise have had to be declared redundant.
Therefore, so far as the Minister's Department are concerned the only difference that the £20 million made in those counties was the continued employment of 14 men. Would the Minister not consider this to be a little meagre?
It seems a little disappointing.