asked the Minister for Lands whether he will state, in regard to forestry in the Kenmare rural district, the total area (a) of new plantations completed and approximate year of maturity; (b) acquired and in course of development for planting; (c) on offer but not yet acquired; (d) rejected as unsuitable; further, if he will indicate the number employed in 1952 (i) whole-time and (ii) part-time on these schemes in this area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kenmare Forestry.
All of Kenmare Forest and part of Kilgarvan Forest lie within the boundaries of this rural district. The total area planted to the end ofMarch last is 584 acres. These plantations should reach maturity from about 1980 onwards. The total area of these properties is 2,047 acres, of which 987 acres are still available and suitable for planting. The total area of other land on offer on the 1st of this month was 3,772, of which the Department has agreed to purchase 421 acres and 361 acres are the subject of price negotiations. The area rejected as unsuitable during 1952-53 was 335 acres, and the number of men employed during the same period varied between 18 and 27.