asked the Minister for Lands (a) the total area of land on offer for afforestation purposes in South Tipperary and West Waterford, (b) the areas in which these lands are located, (c) what areas have been considered for acquisition, and (d) the number of men currently employed in these areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tipperary and Waterford Forestry Lands.
69.
There are at present 179 areas totalling 20,487 acres on offer to my Department for afforestation purposes in South Tipperary and West Waterford. Agreement to purchase has been reached in the case of 47 of these areas totalling 6,573 acres and title is in course of clearance. Negotiations to purchase are in progress with the owners of another 57 areas totalling 2,906 acres. The remaining cases are at the preliminary stages of investigation.
The number of men at present employed at Forests in South Tipperary and West Waterford is 506.
Owing to the large number of cases involved, it would not be practicable to give details of the location of lands on offer.