asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (1) the number of acres offered for forestry in South Kerry; (2) the number of acres now acquired; (3) the number of acres planted or in course of being planted; (4) the average price paid per acre and (5) the number of key centres and where situated or about to be situated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afforestation in South Kerry.
The total area of land on offer for forestry purposes in South Kerry is approximately 10,000 acres, on the basis of area statements made by the owners. The actual area is believed to be much smaller. The area on offer includes large tracts of unplantable land and land previously regarded as unsuitable. The area acquired to date is 4,772 acres and the area planted 2,276 acres. Existing key centres are Killarney, Kenmare and Kilgarvan. It is probable that the next centre will be the Glencar area, and other centres will be opened where suitable initial blocks can be acquired.
As there was no separate valuation of land and timber in some of the earlier acquisitions, my Department is unable to give a reliable average price per acre for all the land acquired. The average price per acre paid for plantable land acquired since 1948 is £3 15s. per acre.