asked the Minister for Lands if he will state why foresters are not given the rights and status of permanent established officers of his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Permanent Forestry Workers.
The grant of established status to foresters is bound up with consideration of the grant of similar status to unestablished officers generally in the Civil Service, and the whole matter is the subject of actuarial investigation by the Department of Finance. Pending completion of this investigation, I am advised that the claims of any individual group of officers, such as foresters, cannot receive priority from the Minister for Finance, who is the governing authority in superannuation matters.
Would the Minister bring to the notice of the Minister for Finance the importance of this particular body, especially at the present time, in view of the expansion in afforestation?