asked the Minister for Lands when it is intended to provide rainwear for forestry workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Rainwear.
60.
The great majority of forestry workers are already supplied with protective clothing and the remainder will be similarly provided for as soon as deliveries are received on foot of a contract that has been placed for further supplies.
I am speaking on the basis of the fact that the forestry workers in South Tipperary have not been supplied with this rainwear to date. Their shelters are inadequate without this rainwear. Would the Minister ensure that forestry workers in South Tipperary are provided with rainwear immediately or what hope can he hold out for the county or has he any information on the matter?
Approximately 75 per cent of forestry workers have been supplied with protective clothing out of an original contract placed by the Post Office Stores. A further contract was placed in November, 1973, but due to a world shortage of material used in their manufacture, which is an extract from crude oil, suppliers are unable to give a definite delivery date. They are being pressed to expedite delivery and it is hoped that this may take place in the next couple of weeks.
Is the Minister saying that rainwear has been supplied to forestry workers in some cases only; and, if so, how does he decide which area and which workers get this rainwear?
I could not answer that question as I have not the information which would enable me to do so.
Is the Minister saying that the oil crisis is responsible for the lack of supply to any area? He mentioned that the material was made from oil. Is the Minister saying this is due to the oil crisis?
I have no further information. I have already said that 75 per cent of forestry workers have been supplied with protective clothing.
But this is 75 per cent in areas other than South Tipperary. The workers in South Tipperary, and these are workers I am concerned with particularly, have not been supplied with rainwear. I understand that the county council can provide rainwear for workers, the Garda Síochána and members of An Forsa Cosanta can be provided with rainwear, but not forestry workers, workers who constantly operate in bad weather. Is the Minister concerned about this matter? Would he ensure that South Tipperary forestry workers are supplied immediately with rainwear?
I take it that 75 per cent is an average figure which possibly means that 100 per cent of the workers in some areas may have protective clothing and, as the Deputy suggested, there may be other areas where they have none. I shall bring the Deputy's remarks to the notice of the Minister concerned.
This is a terrible situation——
Question No. 61.
Let me repeat the final sentence in my reply to a supplementary question. A further contract was placed in November, 1973, and the contractors are being pressed for deliveries. I assume the Minister is aware of the situation and is anxious to have this matter remedied.