asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry when he proposes to employ more people in the Nire Valley to improve and develop afforestation there.
538.
Written Answers. - Afforestation Work.
537.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry when he proposes to employ more people in South Tipperary to improve and develop afforestation there.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together.
While I fully subscribe to the objectives of increasing employment and production, the funds allocated to my Department in the current year unfortunately preclude any increases in the work force in the areas referred to or indeed in forestry generally. However, I intend to keep the matter under constant review in the light of the prevailing financial circumatances.
I am pleased to say that a new American-owned factory is under construction at Clonmel for the manufacture of medium density fibreboard using pulpwood from Irish forests. The project is expected to commence operations in mid-1983 and at full production will provide some 450 jobs.