asked the Minister for Lands if in view of the exceptionally high number now registered at the Fermoy employment exchange, he will consider employing some of these men in the local forests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment in Fermoy Area.
15.
From the information available to me it appears that the level of employment being provided in the forest areas in the Fermoy district is as high as possible having regard to the amount of work available.
Every effort will be made to increase employment in the area should this be found possible.
In view of the Minister's statement recently that it is the intention of his Department to employ as many men as possible as soon as land becomes available and in view of the fact that so much land is available in this district, will the Minister speed up the acquisition of that land and give these men employment forthwith?
The planting programme in the Ballyhooley area has been very much increased—514 acres compared with 393 in the previous year and 279 in the year before that. We cannot increase the planting programme in that particular forest but there may be employment available because of a heavy programme of other work providing roads, drainage repairs, protection etc. It is possible we shall be able to offer more employment later in the season.
When the Minister says it may be possible, may I take it that is in the foreseeable future?