asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) what acreage of land has been (i) acquired, (ii) planted, by the forestry branch in Counties Laoighis and Offaly during each of the years 1945-46, 1947-48, 1948-49 and 1949-50 to date; (b) the minimum acreage of suitable plots of land which can be developed and planted under the control of the existing forestry centres and which are within reasonable distance of such centres; and (c) how many men are employed at each of the existing centres in Counties Laoighis and Offaly.
Written Answers. - Forestry Work in Leix and Offaly.
(a) The areas in question are as follows:—
|
1945-46 |
1946-47 |
1947-48 |
1948-49 |
1/4/1949 to date |
||
|
Acres |
Acres |
Acres |
Acres |
Acres |
||
|
Laoighis |
Acquired |
74 |
— |
2,336 |
309 |
93 |
|
Planted |
— |
57 |
133 |
375 |
— |
|
|
Offaly |
Acquired |
— |
— |
— |
2 |
— |
|
Planted |
103 |
56 |
172 |
169 |
— |
|
(b) My Department is more concerned with the acquisition of large areas but favourable consideration is given to the purchase of any small areas that may be offered for sale for afforestation purposes and which are convenient to an existing forest centre. There are no limits as to the areas of land that may be acquired, but the suitability of lands for afforestation depends on many factors.
(c) The number of men employed on 31st October, 1949 at each of the forest centres in Laoighis and Offaly was:—
|
OFFALY |
LAOIGHIS |
||
|
Tullamore |
20 |
Clonaslee |
19 |
|
Kinnity |
21 |
Durrow |
22 |
|
Emo |
26 |
||
|
Mountrath |
28 |
||
|
Ossory |
15 |
||
|
Portlaoighise |
8 |
||
|
Stradbally |
8 |
||
|
41 |
126 |
||