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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Apr 1987

Vol. 371 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers.

10.

asked the Minister for the Energy the number of forestry workers laid off in County Waterford in the past year; the reason for lay off; and if the jobs will be restored.

No workers were laid off in County Waterford in the past year within the terms of section 11 (1) of the Redundancy Payments Act, 1967.

The Deputy may, however, be referring to the number of temporary workers employed each year in forests throughout the country. The total number of such workers employed in County Waterford in 1986 was 30. To date this year 21 temporary workers have been employed in that county.

Could the Minister be more specific about the future employment of forestry workers in County Waterford, especially with emphasis on the prospects of employment for those temporary workers who were laid off over the past 12 months?

I am very anxious to ensure that there is an even spread of development throughout the country in relation to employment but sometimes that is not possible. The availability of land and the fact that the Department should concentrate on land where the soil is more suitable for the production of trees rather than some of the land we have planted up to now means that from time to time the spread of work is scattered somewhat. The emphasis may be on Waterford at a particular time and it could shift to an adjoining county the following year. Bearing in mind those restraints I will be happy to do whatever I can in relation to the problem.

Is the Minister aware that there are many requests from the foresters in County Waterford to employ additional men as the work is there? Is there any chance of meeting this request in the near future?

I am not aware that these requests have been made but in view of the statement made by Deputy Fahey I will have the matter examined.

Is the Minister saying that the soil in County Waterford is unsuitable for certain types of tree planting? Can he be more specific?

If we were to debate the soil analysis of Waterford — it is already a contentious matter — we would be here for the whole afternoon. As the Deputy knows, there is a variety of soils in the country, about 27 altogether. These are to be found in practically every county but in varying degrees. Waterford is as suitable as any other place, maybe more suitable in certain respects. My answer was merely to indicate that the spread of activity does not all the time remain concentrated in a particular area.

Perhaps the Minister might clarify one aspect of his reply which relates to the embargo announced by the Minister for Finance. Is the Minister of State now saying that there is still a possibility of additional forestry workers being taken on in County Waterford or elsewhere, irrespective of what the Minister for Finance stated in the House?

I hope I was clearly understood when I replied to the earlier quesiton and indicated that there were temporary workers for this year.

I must get some clarification on this. My understanding is that from last Tuesday, 31 March, no additional staff could be taken on. Is the Minister saying the possibility of taking on temporary or full-time staff still exists? He has a responsibility to clarify to the House that the position is as stated by the Minister for Finance, that as of last week no additional staff can be taken on in any State Department or in any semi-State sector.

I indicated in my earlier reply that a number of workers had already been taken on in order to ensure that the planting programme could be carried out.

I accept that but what is the position as of now?

In relation to taking on full-time workers, there is no scope within the budgetary constraints to do that.

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