asked the Minister for Lands if he will take steps to expedite development of forestry lands which are available in the Pettigo area, County Donegal and thus obviate further redundancies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Forestry Lands.
15.
(Cavan): The Forest and Wildlife Service of my Department are making every affort to acquire additional land in this area. Lands likely to be acquired, however, would not contribute significantly to the overall employment position. Acceleration of use of the limited plantable reserve of land to maintain employment would involve heavier redundancies later on.
Is the Minister aware from information with which he supplied me that there is a pool of undeveloped land already in the hands of the Forestry Division awaiting development?
(Cavan): My information is that there are 1,117 acres at price agreement stage and the Chief State Solicitor is investing the titles. There are another 964 acres at the preliminary investigation stage. These areas will make no significant change in the employment problems existing in those areas.
Would the Minister state what fully acquired lands are available in that area which have not been developed?
(Cavan): I do not appear to have that information in my brief. When I get it I will pass it on to the Deputy.
The Minister assured me last autumn that there was a pool of land available and that its development would commence some time later.
(Cavan): Any anticipation at this stage of future work would worsen the situation rather than improve it and lead to greater redundancies later on.
It is difficult to understand that.