asked the Minister for Lands the reason why ten forestry workers have recently been dismissed in the Clonmel area, County Tipperary; and whether in view of the desirability of keeping these men and other forestry workers in the area in employment his Department will consider acquiring the land which is now available at Kilmacomma and Glenary, County Tipperary for forestry purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dismissal of County Tipperary Forestry Workers.
53.
Due to a reduction in the work reserves at Clonmel Forest it was necessary to lay off nine men there last week. Six of the men had been employed on a temporary basis since July, 1961, in order to deal with the clearance and planting of a particular area attached to the Forest.
My Department is anxious to acquire additional lands for afforestation purposes in the Clonmel Forest area and all possible steps are being taken to speed up the intake of land there. At present there are 17 areas totalling 1,063 acres on offer to my Department in the Clonmel Forest area. Agreement to purchase seven areas totalling 262 acres has been reached and title to these lands is in course of clearance.
Negotiations to purchase two other areas totalling 169 acres are in progress and the remaining cases are at the preliminary stages of investigation.