asked the Minister for Lands what offers of lands for forestry development in Laois he has received; and what steps have been taken, or are proposed to be taken, for the further development of forestry in the county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois Forestry Lands.
68.
My Department is at present dealing with 122 offers of land for State Forestry purposes in Laois, involving a total area of 6,767 acres. Possession is about to be taken of two areas totalling 71 acres. Price agreement has been reached in 18 cases with a total area of 552 acres and title to these areas is in course of clearance. Negotiations for the purchase of 30 other areas totalling 1,602 acres are in progress and the remaining cases are at the preliminary stages of investigation. As regards general State Forestry development in Laois, the position is that plantations totalling 17,000 acres had been established at the Laois Forests up to the end of 1960-61. In the current season additional areas totalling 600 acres are being planted. The rate of expansion in future years will be determined by the rate at which new areas can be acquired for development but I can assure the Deputy that all possible steps will be taken to speed up the intake of land.