I wonder would the Minister say how trainees are selected in the first instance?
Committee and Final Stages.
Sections 1 and 2 agreed to.
SECTION 3.
Question proposed: "That Section 3 stand part of the Bill."
Certainly.
How many university graduates are there and what is the proportion of graduates to others employed?
I could not say what the proportion is at the moment. The Civil Service Commission, when forestry trainees are required, issue the usual advertisements. These trainees are taken in after an examination by the Civil Service Commissioners and they have then to go through a course at Avondale of two years with a further year in the field. We are contemplating a change in the three-year arrangement. The only point that arises, I think, as regards the trainees is that they will have to receive a Civil Service certificate—I mentioned that already— and they will go on then to be established. I think—we have not come to a final decision—that after the three-years' training period is completed and when the trainee is qualified to take up the post of forester, there should be, perhaps, a probation period of, say, a year before he is finally established. That has not been finally decided, however.
What is the standard of education for the trainee?
Like other Civil Service examinations, the standard laid down in the regulations seems to be the primary school leaving certificate standard but in fact, as in the case of writing assistants in the Civil Service, they are generally of the leaving certificate secondary school standard. They need not necessarily have secondary education. I could not tell the Senator offhand what number of them have got it but I should imagine the tendency would be in that direction at any rate.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 4 to 6, inclusive, and the Title, agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.
The Seanad adjourned at 5.35 p.m.sine die.