asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 618 of 5 December 1984, if he will indicate the number of unfilled positions which exist in forestry in County Wexford; and if there are forests with the highest priority needs in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - County Wexford Forestry Workers.
603.
The total number of forest workers currently employed in County Wexford is 115 as compared with 119 a year ago. While 12 forest worker positions were vacated during the period, eight workers were recruited, leaving a nett reduction of four. As the existing workforce in County Wexford forests is considered adequate to undertake the essential work programme there are at present no unfilled vacancies in the county.
For purposes of employment, areas of high priority are forests where the existing staff level is inadequate to carry out essential forest work. Whenever it is possible through retirements etc., to recruit additional staff, they are employed in accordance with priorities arising at the particular time.