asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the acreage under afforestation in Ireland which is the lowest in Europe; and the steps he proposes to take to increase our plantation rate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afforestation Acreage.
7.
I am aware that the area under forest in Ireland is low compared to other countries in Europe but substantial and sustained efforts are being made to increase the forest area.
A State planting programme of 10,000 hectares per annum was first achieved 20 years ago and in the intervening period the total area in the country under State forest has been trebled.
There are no plans to increase the rate of State planting and, indeed, current difficulties in relation to land acquisition for afforestation have meant that in recent years there has been some shortfall in the programme but every effort is being made to acquire sufficient land to restore and continue that level of planting.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that in an effort to encourage landowners to embark on private tree planting I recently increased planting grants substantially and reduced the period over which grants are payable.
In view of the difficulty in acquiring land for afforestation, can the Minister indicate what is the average current price being paid by the Department per acre?
Something in the region of £150 to £250.
Is this not well below normal market levels?
I do not accept that. It is not so much the price that is affecting acquisition as the reluctance of farmers to give land for afforestation.
Can the Minister tell us about his plans to absorb the output of State forests, and what policy he has in this regard, if any?
This is an entirely separate matter.
There is no difficulty whatsoever in absorbing saw-log timber. We have some difficulty in absorbing certain forest thinnings.
I have said this is a separate matter.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister has said there is a fall-off in the programme. Can he tell us the area planted in 1979?
The number of hectares planted in 1979 was 8,192.
(Cavan-Monaghan): That seems to be a substantial reduction.
The number of hectares planted in 1976 was 8,883. There has been only a slight reduction.
What is the estimate for 1980?
We hope to be able to plant 8,000 plus hectares, about the same as last year.