asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the availability including areas and locations of cutaway bogs under Bord na Móna control; the planned availability of such bogs over the next five years; and the plans for the future use of all such areas.
Written Answers. - Cutaway Bogs.
85.
It is expected that a total of 5,300 hectares of cutaway bogs will be available by 1990 and afterwards this figure will increase by 500 hectares per year. The main locations are in counties Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Galway, Donegal, Kildare and Tipperary.
Already, in 1987, over 1,000 hectares have been handed over by Bord na Móna to the Forestry Service for afforestation. Arrangements are in hand for the identification and transfer of further suitable cutaway lands for this purpose.
The question of usage for the remaining cutaway not suitable for forestry will be the subject of further study.