Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 1

Written Answers. - Forestry Study.

John Bruton

Question:

20 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Energy if he will carry out an interdepartmental study on the socio-economic impact of forestry in rural Ireland with reference to, (a) its effect on land prices or other land uses, (b) its effect on the environment and (c) its impact on employment.

Monica Barnes

Question:

21 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Energy if he will carry out an interdepartmental study on the socio-economic impact of forestry in rural Ireland with refrence to, (a) its effect on land prices or other land uses, (b) its effect on the environment and (c) its impact on employment.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

31 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Energy if he will carry out an interdepartmental study on the socio-economic impact of forestry in rural Ireland with reference to, (a) its effect on land prices or other land uses, (b) its effect on the environment and (c) its impact on employment.

Richard Bruton

Question:

38 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Energy if he will carry out an interdepartmental study on the socio-economic impact of forestry in rural Ireland with reference to, (a) its effect on land prices or other land uses, (b) its effect on the environment and (c) its impact on employment.

Joseph Doyle

Question:

50 Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for Energy if he will carry out an interdepartment study on the socio-economic impact of forestry in rural Ireland with reference to, (a) its effect on land prices or other land uses, (b) its effect on the environment and (c) its impact on employment.

Paul Bradford

Question:

57 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Energy if he will carry out an interdepartmental study on the socio-economic impact of forestry in rural Ireland with reference to, (a) its effect on land prices or other land uses, (b) its effect on the environment and (c) its impact on employment.

John Browne

Question:

58 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Energy if he will carry out an interdepartmental study on the socio-economic impact of forestry in rural Ireland with reference to, (a) its effect on land prices or other land uses, (b) its effect on the environment and (c) its impact on employment.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

A Cheann Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 21, 31, 38, 50, 57 and 58 together.

The Economic and Social Research Institute is carrying out a research programme on forestry on behalf of my Department on the socio-economic impact of forestry focusing on the impact of forestry on rural communities; land mobility and change of use and land prices.

The research programme commenced last November and is scheduled for completion later this year. The programme is being guided by a steering group representative of my Department, the Irish Timber Growers Association, Coillte Teoranta and the ESRI.

The objectives of this work programme are: to study the extent to which forestry development can assist the economic development of rural communities; to describe and explain changes in full-time and part-time farming and associated land ownership patterns and to develop a framework for the collection of data on land prices in different regions and on different types of land.

The nature and scope of these studies is such that virtually all of the issues mentioned by the Deputies, particularly the potential for job creation, will be assessed and I look forward to the receipt of the results of those studies at the earliest possible date.

In so far as the effect of forestry on the environment is concerned, the Deputies will be glad to note that it is a condition of grant-aid under the Forestry Operational Programme that forestry development must be compatible with the protection of the environment and, following consultations with the relevant Departments, procedures are already in place to ensure that environmental considerations are taken fully into account.