I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 79 together.
The Deputies can be assured that I will take all steps open to me to safeguard the employment of forest workers. I think, however, that the Deputies may be misinterpreting recent action terminating the employment of temporary workers as a measure affecting permanent workers. This is not the case. My Department have always employed a number of temporary workers either on a seasonal or short fixed term basis to augment the permanent workforce and to meet peak demands in forest operations. The number employed each year varies between 200 and 300 employees.
The situation referred to by the Deputies concerns the current year's temporary employees. These workers were employed for seasonal work or for a specific period in nurseries and forests throughout the country with due regard to the financial allocation provided for such work in this year's Vote for forestry. In fact, I understand that a number of the workers involved were retained in employment for longer periods than was envisaged when they were originally recruited.
The number of workers whose employment is being terminated is 197 and these are spread throughout 114 forests in all areas of the country.