asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the acreage of land which was surveyed for afforestation purposes during each of the years (a) 1928 to 1947 inclusive; (b) 18th February to 31st December, 1948; and (c) 1949 to date; further, the percentage of such land for each year which was found suitable for afforestation purposes; and the acreage of the lands found suitable which was acquired.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lands for Afforestation.
It is not possible to give the information in the exact form asked for by the Deputy, but the following particulars may meet his requirements:—
In the year 1948-49, 15,580 acres were inspected and 6,637 acres were acquired while, since 1st April last, an area of 39,360 acres was surveyed.
Inspection and acquisition of an estate do not always take place in the same year.
Will the Minister state why it is impossible to give year to year from 1928 the acreage that was inspected as well as the amount that was found suitable to be acquired? What is the big secret that we cannot get the information?
The secret behind it is that up to, I think, 1935 no official figures were kept and so they are not available.
Would it be possible to get the figures for each year from 1935?
It would.
The question asks for the information from 1928 to 1947, inclusive. I presume that if the figures are not available from 1928 to 1935 that we can get them from 1935 on?
Yes. I shall furnish them from 1935 on.