Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Afforestation Programme.

Enda Kenny

Question:

115 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the percentage of ground under afforestation either by Coillte or private operators in each county in Connacht; if he will compare this figure to the level of afforestation for the past five and ten years; the projections for afforestation in the province for the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23516/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The percentage level of forest cover in the Connacht counties in 1997, 1992 and 1987 was as follows:

County	1997	1992	1987
	%	%	%
Mayo	8.56	7.41	5.80
Sligo	9.59	8.16	6.45
Leitrim	12.90	11.11	8.92
Roscommon	6.77	5.42	4.01
Galway	9.04	8.12	6.84

It is difficult to predict specific afforestation levels for the province for the next ten years. However, the strategic plan for the development of the forestry sector in Ireland set afforestation targets for the country of 25,000 ha. per annum to the year 2000 and 20,000 ha. per annum in the period 2001 to year 2030.