asked the Minister for Lands the number of forestry workers who have been laid off this year, indicating the forest areas involved; and if he will state the reasons for the dismissals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers.
47.
The information is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
The information set out in the statement covers the period 1st January to 7th May, 1971, and is inclusive of men who were in employment on that date but who have been served with redundancy notice to expire at a later date. The reason for the redundancies was contraction of work at the forests in question.
Following is the statement:
|
Counties |
Number of men laid off |
Number of men dismissed |
|
CLARE: |
||
|
Ballyvaughan |
4 |
|
|
Ennis |
2 |
|
|
Tuamgraney |
1 |
|
|
CORK: |
||
|
Avondhu |
2 |
|
|
Ballynoe |
3 |
|
|
Ballyvourney |
3 |
|
|
Banteer |
1 |
|
|
Duhallow |
1 |
|
|
Dunmanway |
1 |
|
|
Killeagh |
1 |
|
|
Kinnalea |
1 |
|
|
Muskerry |
1 |
|
|
Rosscarbery |
2 |
|
|
DONEGAL: |
||
|
Buncrana |
9† |
|
|
Gweedore |
— |
3 |
|
Kilcar |
3 |
|
|
Letterkenny |
1 |
|
|
Gweebarra |
3* |
|
|
KERRY |
||
|
Cahirciveen |
1 |
|
|
Castlegregory |
2 |
|
|
Kenmare |
2 |
|
|
Kilgarvan |
3 |
|
|
Killarney |
3 |
|
|
Killorglin |
2 |
|
|
Waterville |
4 |
|
|
KILDARE: |
||
|
Athy |
2 |
|
|
KILKENNY: |
||
|
Piltown |
2 |
|
|
LIMERICK: |
||
|
Newcastlewest |
2 |
|
|
LONGFORD: |
||
|
Ballymahon |
2 |
|
|
LEITRIM: |
||
|
Arigna |
2 |
|
|
OFFALY: |
||
|
Tullamore |
1 |
|
|
Roscrea |
6 |
|
|
ROSCOMMON: |
||
|
Boyle |
3 |
|
|
Lough Key |
6 |
|
|
TIPPERARY: |
||
|
Anner |
2 |
|
|
Carrick-on-Suir |
2 |
|
|
Templemore |
1 |
|
|
WATERFORD: |
||
|
Curraghmore |
1 |
|
|
Dungarvan |
1 |
|
|
Kilmacthomas |
5 |
|
|
Tallow |
1 |
|
|
WESTMEATH: |
||
|
Lough Ennell |
3 |
|
|
Lough Owel |
1 |
|
|
WICKLOW: |
||
|
Glen Imaal |
3 |
|
|
Shelton |
7 |
* Alternative employment with the Land Commission has been provided for these men.
† Will be re-employed 11/8/1971.
Does the Minister not think it unfair to dismiss men with up to 14 years service, to my knowledge? Other Deputies know what the position is in their own districts. Is it not very unfair that a forestry worker who has given good and faithful service over a period of years should be dismissed and get only a small redundancy payment, particularly having regard to the fact that a pension scheme is now being formulated for such workers? As a result of being dismissed or declared redundant they will not benefit from such a scheme. This is completely unfair and unjust and it is something to which this House must address itself. These workers are being thrown out of employment after years of service. This is worse than the unemployment question we dealt with in the Dáil the other day.
Question No. 48.
Give the Minister an opportunity to answer.
I do not like men to be declared redundant or to have to be declared redundant any more than the Deputy or any other Member of the House.
Question No. 48.
Excuse me. Surely in areas where land is available——
We cannot discuss this whole question.
I am not discussing the whole question. This is only my second supplementary.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 48.