asked the Minister for Lands whether the Forestry Branch have acquired land in County Kildare for afforestation purposes; and, if so, if he will state the area and location of such lands, and when it is proposed to commence operations in each area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afforestation in Kildare.
The total productive area held by the Forestry Division of my Department in the Kildare forests is 4,255 acres, of which a total of 3,253 acres has been planted to date. There is, therefore, a reserve of 1,002 acres available for planting, distributed over three forests as follows:— Monasterevan—734 acres, Edenderry—100 acres and Donadea—168 acres.
It is intended to plant a total of 372 acres at Monasterevan forest this year (at Hybla, Cloneybeg, Maddenstown, Kill Bog and Moore Abbey) and 100 acres at Edenderry forest at Derrycricket. Preparatory work is at present in progress at these areas. The planting programme for Donadea forest has not yet been settled but it is probable that about 70 acres will be planted at Ballynakill Upper and that work will commence on the area within the next few months.