asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state (1) the approximate acreage of land acquired in County Leix for afforestation purposes to date; (2) the acreage planted to date; and (3) the number of men engaged in forestry work (a) at Baureigh Forestry Station, and (b) in the county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Afforestation in Leix.
Mr. Hogan
(1) The area of land acquired in Leix for State afforestation was, as I informed the Deputy in reply to a Question on the 5th March, 1930, 5,047 acres, including 291 acres of existing woods and 1,828 acres of land unsuitable for planting. Since the answer was given 19 acres have been surrendered to the Irish Land Commission as an agricultural holding. The present area is, therefore, 5,028 acres. In addition, the Department have recently concluded negotiations for the purchase of an additional area of 752 acres in this county, and it is expected that early possession will be obtained.
(2) The area of land planted by the Department in Leix to date is 1,921 acres.
(3) (a) The number of forest labourers employed at present at Baureigh is 10, but during the recent planting season 30 labourers were employed there; and (b) the number employed in the whole county at present is 24.