asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that over 3,000 acres of land have been offered to his Department for forestry purposes in County Clare, and if he can state how many acres he proposes to acquire for forestry purposes and how many acres he proposes to plant in that county during the present financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afforestation in County Clare.
Over 40 offers of land in County Clare ranging in area from eight to 1,000 acres and totalling over 5,000 acres have been received in the forestry division.
Excluding small and isolated areas, I propose to acquire as rapidly as possible all the suitable land that can be acquired, but I am not able, at this stage, to say how much it may be possible to take over during the present financial year.
The planting programme for next winter has not been yet definitely settled but it is hoped that 400 acres approximately will be available for planting in County Clare.