asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will identify the forests where accretion of timber is being retarded due to lack of manpower, forest management and thinning of woodlands; and the number of vacant jobs in this area.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Forestry Management .
7.
: I am not aware of any forest areas where timber growth is being retarded due to lack of manpower.
There are a number of areas where thinnings have been marked but have remained unsold due to the current sluggishness of the market for pulpwood. This has been a feature of the world market for pulpwood over the past year or so but there are recent signs of improvement.
: What the Minister is saying is that if somebody states that certain work has not been done in the forests because of lack of manpower in certain areas, that information is not correct?
: I will look into the point made by the Deputy but, if it is worded in that manner, it is not.
: Would the Minister answer the last part of Deputy Tully's question in relation to the number of vacant jobs?
: I answered that in the first instance when I said:
I am not aware of any forest areas where timber growth is being retarded due to lack of manpower.
If there are any such areas, I should like to receive information on them but my information is that they do not exist.
: In other words, the Forestry Division cannot employ any more men?
: In gainful employment.
: No. Vacant posts.
: Oh, there are vacant posts all the time; that is an on-going situation.