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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Feb 1961

Vol. 186 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Forestry Land Acquisition.

62.

asked the Minister for Lands the reason why no further land is to be acquired at Bree Forest, County Wexford, for use as a nursery in view of the fact that employment may be reduced if land for such purpose is not available during the present year.

The needs of this area are already adequately provided for by existing nurseries in Wexford.

Does the Minister appreciate the effect his decision has on employment in the area? Does he appreciate that in January, 1958, there were 52 men employed in Bree and Raheenowen and that in January, 1960, it had been reduced to 28, and that if he intends not to acquire more land for nurseries, it will mean even less employment?

The information I have is that it is not necessary for the present to acquire further nursery sites for planting operations and I take it that if the operations are enlarged, the nursery requirements will be correspondingly improved.

Could the Minister say if it is the policy of the Department to abolish all the small nurseries and establish larger nurseries in three or four places? In County Mayo, 90 men have been thrown out of employment on nursery work in the past two years.

Regard ought to be had to the question of employment.

No such implication as that suggested by Deputy Blowick can be taken from the reply I have given.

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