andMr. James Tully asked the Minister for Lands the number of employees of his Department, including workers in the Forestry Division, who are not covered by any sick pay or superannuation schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sick Pay and Superannuation Schemes.
56.
There are some 5,200 employees in the Department of Lands, including about 4,400 forestry workers, who are not covered by sick pay or superannuation schemes.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if there are proposals before his Department for a superannuation scheme?
This matter is under consideration and no decision has yet been taken on it.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say, in view of the fact that representations were made last February twelve months by the trade unions concerned, when an early reply was promised, when an early reply will be received?
As was stated in a reply to a similar question in another Department, the Forestry Division are only one section which are on casual or unestablished employment and it would be difficult to deal with one particular section.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House today what the position in his Department is and not go hiding behind the smokescreen of some other Department? There was no reference yesterday to casual employment. Reference was made to people with 13 years' service.
As far as my Department are concerned, we are not hiding behind any smokescreen. It would be impossible to single out one particular type of employment for differential treatment.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if it is considered unreasonable to state that his Department should have had an opportunity of discussing with other Departments in the past 18 months the matters to which he refers? Would he consider it unreasonable to say he had plenty of time and, in view of the talk about good labour relations and the necessity for them, a Government Department should do something about this now?
This matter has been discussed by the various Departments but a decision has not yet been reached.
It would want to be reached quickly.