To ask the Minister for Agriculture if it is the intention of the Ministry to continue or to extend the activities of the Forestry Stations; whether the tree planting season has now begun, and, if so, whether the number of men employed at forestry work cannot be greatly increased with advantage; whether it is a fact that at the Forestry Station at Lugduff, Glendalough, the staff was reduced by six men on Saturday, 21st October, just at the beginning of the planting season, and if so, is it to be taken as a sign of the intention of the Ministry to abandon the necessary and valuable national work of re-afforestation.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - FORESTRY STATIONS.
It is the intention of the Ministry to continue and to extend the activities of the Forestry Stations so far as the funds available and the area of suitable land which can be acquired for the purpose will permit. The tree planting season has now begun. The number of men employed on forestry work is usually increased during the planting season, provided that the number employed during the summer months in drainage and preparation does not exceed the permanent staff. The staff employed at Lugduff, Glendalough, was in excess of permanent staff throughout the summer by 8 men owing to a considerable area of fencing having to be erected in preparation for planting. It is estimated that the whole of the planting possible at this centre will not require more than 6 or 7 men, of whom 5 are regarded as permanent labourers. As a result of this, the staff was reduced on Saturday, the 21st October, by 6 men. I may say that forestry operations at Glendalough and elsewhere throughout Wicklow are being carried on at the maximum rate. This is very largely regulated by the number of plants in stock and general considerations regarding the economical working of each centre. At the present rate of planting the area of land now held for planting purposes will be entirely used up in about six years. Planting operations must, therefore, be largely governed by land acquisition in any particular district or county.