asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in respect of each county in which forestry work is carried on by the State (a) the rates of pay and hours of work in the case of each of the main classes of forestry workers and the number employed; (b) the last date on which the wages of forestry workers were revised, and (c) the proposals which he is prepared to make in order to raise the wages of forestry workers so as to take into account the rapid increase in the cost of living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Wages.
The rates of wages, hours of work, and other conditions of employment of forestry labourers are not differentiated on a county basis. The total number of labourers at present employed is, approximately, 1,155. A tabular statement will be appended for circulation in the Official Report, showing the number normally employed in each county.
The rate of wages at present paid to forestry labourers is 35/- a week (conditioned to a 48-hour week), except at Saggart, Killakee, Glencree, Delgany, and Dundalk forests, at which a rate of 36/6 a week is paid. These rates have been in force since the 1st February, 1943.
The wages of forestry labourers are related to the rates payable to other classes of labourers in Government employment, and may not be altered at the sole discretion of my Department. The rates are related to the rates for agricultural labourers under the Agricultural Wages Orders in force from time to time, and variations in the cost of living are automatically taken into account. The present forestry rates exceed the rates for agricultural labour on an hourly basis.
In addition to the normal rates, a differential of 2/- a week is paid to selected skilled labourers, with not less than three years' service, for whom it is anticipated that regular employment at forestry centres will be available for some time to come.
Following is the tabular statement referred to:—
Approximate number of forestry labourers normally employed in each county.
|
County |
Number |
|
*Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
30 |
|
Clare |
41 |
|
Cork |
83 |
|
Donegal |
28 |
|
Dublin |
13 |
|
*Galway |
125 |
|
Kerry |
22 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
|
Kilkenny |
100 |
|
Laoighis |
78 |
|
Leitrim |
17 |
|
Limerick |
27 |
|
Longford |
6 |
|
Louth |
11 |
|
*Mayo |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
*Offaly |
23 |
|
*Roscommon |
4 |
|
Sligo |
23 |
|
*Tipperary |
121 |
|
Waterford |
53 |
|
Westmeath |
14 |
|
Wexford |
105 |
|
*Wicklow |
217 |
|
Total: 1,155 |
*It is not possible to give exact County totals, as certain forests cover lands in adjoining Counties. In the cases starred, the numbers in overlapping forests arc shown in such adjoining counties.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is prepared to sanction an immediate increase in the wages of forestry workers generally in view of the very serious rise in the price of commodities; further, whether he will state if there is in contemplation any proposals for improving generally the conditions of employment for forestry workers; and, if so, whether he will indicate the nature of such proposals.
The wages of forestry labourers are related to the rates payable to other classes of labourers in Government employment, and may not be altered at the sole discretion of my Department. The rates are normally fixed by reference to the rates fixed for agricultural labourers under the Agricultural Wages Orders in force from time to time, and the present forestry rates are higher on an hourly basis than the existing rates for agricultural labour. No proposals for improving the conditions of employment of forestry labourers are at present under consideration.