Vol. 283 No. 6
andMr. J. O'Leary asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction among assistant foresters employed by his Department regarding the system whereby each person is required to accept five transfers within a period of seven years with less than five days' notice in some cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
26.
asked the Minister for Lands why foresters are transferred so frequently.
(Cavan): With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together.
Present arrangements in the Forest and Wildlife Service of my Department are that foresters are asked to complete five assignments which usually involve four transfers of duty in their first seven years of service.
This procedure is designed to afford young foresters opportunities of gaining experience in a wide range of forestry operations and on a variety of sites. This is of benefit both to the efficiency of the State's forestry operations and to the individual forester in qualifying him for advancement in the Service as opportunity arises.
The normal notice of transfer is at least seven weeks to married men and three weeks to single men though in isolated cases practical difficulties necessitate shorter notice.
Would the Minister accept that this obviously imposes very definite hardship on foresters, especially those who are married?
(Cavan): The foresters concerned are usually not married men. They are young foresters in the first five years of service.
The reply referred to married men also.
(Cavan): Some of them are married. These arrangements have been worked out with the association representing the foresters and my Department. They are regarded as being in the interests of the foresters themselves so as to qualify them as soon as possible for promotion and for a useful life in the Forestry Service. Further, when the five transfers are completed, the minimum transfers take place thereafter and the policy is to settle foresters in an area when they are fully qualified. If Deputies consider it, they will come to the conclusion that while some inconvenience is caused in the early stage of a forester's life, in the long term it is in the interests of all concerned.
Is the Minister satisfied that this is the only way in which the experience necessary can be provided?
(Cavan): I am advised, and I accept, that experience in different parts of the country and in different types of forest is an asset.
In the case of the occasional young, married forester with a young family attending school, would there be sympathetic consideration so as not to have the children changed from one school to another?
(Cavan): Humane and sympathetic consideration is given to every case. Most representations come as a result of community requests to keep a young forester in an area for one reason or another and I think it is unfair to the young forester.
27.
asked the Minister for Lands the total costs of transfer of foresters per year for the past five years.
(Cavan): The estimated total cost of transfers of foresters for the years shown is as follows:
1971, £11,737; 1972, £16,095; 1973, £14,355; 1974, £22,825; 1975, to date £13,024.
In regard to what the Minister said in regard to costs and the educational benefits of frequent transfers I take it that is the cost to the Department, but each forester also has to put up a certain amount of money to transfer himself——
(Cavan): They are usually not at any loss.
Is the game worth the candle?
(Cavan): Not alone is it worth the candle but it is absolutely necessary to provide a proper training.
