asked the Minister for Lands the number of employees in Wexford forests on (a) 1st January, 1967 and (b) 1st January, 1968.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Forestry Employees.
28.
The figures requested are: (a) 206; (b) 178.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary indicate why there has been such a large reduction in employees in Wexford forests?
One of the principal problems is that we have not been able to acquire sufficient land. If the Deputy is aware of any land which is available for afforestation purposes, I should be very glad if he would make that information available to us.
If you would pay for it, it would help.
When I give such information I am informed that the nursery inspectors have been sent to the West of Ireland.
In view of the pending by-election, they will come back now to Wicklow.
The Parliamentary Secretary has spoken of laying-off forestry employees within the past year. Has he taken precautions to ensure that such of them as would have qualified under the Redundancy Act, when it came into operation, have been given any corresponding benefit for the period between its introduction in this House in 1967 and the date on which it came into operation, as this would be a most important headline for employers in the country?
The Deputy is aware that the Minister for Labour, when speaking on the Redundancy Payments Bill, said that that Bill would not be retrospective and that cases would date for those who became redundant after the 1st January, 1968.
Surely we are aware of the regrettable situation in which some men have been laid off manifestly for the purpose of depriving them of the benefit they would get under the Redundancy Act. Surely the Ministry of Lands should set an example in this matter and, if necessary, retain its employees until such time as they get the benefit of the Redundancy Act or, in the alternative, give them the corresponding benefit?
The Deputy is aware that employees of the Forestry Division do get a gratuity, if they have a certain number of years employment with the Forestry Division.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary have a word with the Minister for Labour about it? That is all I want to know.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that as a result of negotiations carried through by the union representing the forestry workers, in fact forestry workers get severance pay just twice as good as that specified? That was as a result of union activity.
The Parliamentary Secretary was not aware of that.