Vol. 487 No. 3
101 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, for future employment in the forestry sector by way of permanent employment, as opposed to jobs provided in the contract areas, in view of the fact that there is more finance paid to contractors at present than to staff on the payroll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4118/98]
It is estimated that there are approximately 16,000 people currently employed in the forestry sector. The strategic plan for the development of the forestry sector in Ireland which was published in 1996 and approved by the Government, envisages an increase in employment in the forestry sector of 11,000 people, in the context of the implementation of the plan, by the year 2020.
The terms and conditions of employment in the forestry sector is a matter in which I have no function and is decided commercially by the various companies within the sector.
