asked the Minister for Lands if the land of the Drumlin soil belt is suitable for afforestation; how many acres his Department have planted; what is the future policy for forestry in the area; how many private plantings there are in the area; and if he will consider giving extra grants for further private planting.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drumlin Belt Afforestation.
97.
Plantations in the Drumlin soil belt are generally highly productive, particularly under spruces. My Department is anxious to acquire further land for planting in this area; the total planted to date is 43,500 acres and 6,500 acres are held as nominal plantable reserve.
Statistics in relation to private planting are not kept on a basis which would facilitate extraction of figures for the Drumlin soil belt as such. The normal private planting grants are, of course, available but I would not see a basis for giving extra grants in this particular region.