Enda Kenny
Question:179 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the efforts he is making to ensure that there is a diversification of species of forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Forestry Programme.
One of my priorities as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, is to encourage diversification of species in our forests which means both an increased planting of broadleaves and a diversity of conifer species. Diversification is important from a number of viewpoints, including the environment, plant health, import substitution, quality, yield and end use.
The planting of broadleaves is encouraged by a higher level of grant support and the recently introduced Planned Recreational Forestry Scheme for the planting or upgrading of forests with public recreational facilities which specifically requires a minimum of 10 per cent broad-leaf planting.
Approvals for afforestation grants may also include directions on the specific species to be planted, to take account of the silvicultural and environmental aspects and suitability of sites.
Enda Kenny
Question:180 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the numbers who are currently employed in forestry; the current acreage of forest and the comparable figures for the preceding ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Enda Kenny
Question:181 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the present area of the country which is under afforestation; his objectives in this regard for the year 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
The total effective forest area on 31 December 1992 was 0.47 million hectares. This area represents about 7 per cent of the area in the State. Within the EC overall 24 per cent of all land is classified as forest.
The total effective forest area in Ireland for the previous ten years was as follows:
|
Year |
Million Hectares |
|
1982 |
0.367 |
|
1983 |
0.374 |
|
1984 |
0.380 |
|
1985 |
0.386 |
|
1986 |
0.391 |
|
1987 |
0.398 |
|
1988 |
0.407 |
|
1989 |
0.422 |
|
1990 |
0.438 |
|
1991 |
0.456 |
|
1992 |
0.472 |
The projected planting level for 1993 is approximately 24,600 hectares. I am confident that the overall annual planting target of 30,000 hectares, as set out in the Government's Partnership programme, will be achieved by 1994 and can be maintained at that level to the year 2000, when the total effective forest area will approach 10 per cent.
While employment statistics are a matter for the Central Statistics Office and not for my Department, I can provide the Deputy with the following information which may be of assistance. However, this information does not include employment in primary or secondary processing of timber.
There were 1,689 permanent employees in Coillte Teoranta on 31 December 1992. The gross employment created by the expansion of forestry activity under the Programme for National Recovery up to the end of 1990 was some 1,400 jobs.
Under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress over 620 full-time job equivalents were created in 1991 and I expect gross job creation in 1992 and 1993 will exceed 500.