asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the average all-in expenditure, including interest, incurred in developing 1,000 acres of typical forest plantation and the average time for maturity; (b) the capital value of the plantation at maturity at 1948 timber prices; (c) the average annual income by way of profit on sheep or cattle grazing to the owner of 1,000 acres of average rough grazing; (d) the capital value, including interest, of State forests since first plantings took place; (e) the cost still to be incurred in bringing State forests to maturity; (f) the final capital value assuming all plantations come to maturity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forest Plantations.
(a) The average allin expenditure at existing labour and material costs, but excluding interest, is roughly £40,000. Average time for maturity is 50 years. The rate of interest is liable to variation, and is not determined by my Department, which is in consultation, with the Department of Finance about the preparation of forestry accounts on a commercial basis. When these are completed they will be presented to the Dáil.
(b) The capital value of 1,000 acres of plantations, at 1948 timber prices, is £170,000 for the timber alone. The land remains with its productivity for timber cultivation an appreciating and valuable asset.
(c) The Deputy must seek this information elsewhere; my Department has no definite information on the matter and would not normally be concerned in the ascertainment of the information.
(d) The capital value of the timber growing on the existing State forests is conservatively estimated at £4,000,000. The value of afforestation to the nation, in view of the present and future world shortage of timber, is inestimable.
(e) Owing to the possibility of changing costs and interest rates only a rough estimate can be given. The best estimate that can be made is £4,000,000 plus whatever interest rates may be charged for the future.
(f) Provided there is no material alteration in the existing values of home-grown timber, the estimated capital value of the timber in the existing plantations at maturity is £19,750,000.