asked the Minister for Lands if he will state, in respect of each of the years 1932 to 1945 inclusive (a) the total area of arable land acquired for purposes of afforestation by the Forestry Division of his Department, and (b) the average price per acre paid for such land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Operations.
The areas acquired for afforestation are not recorded as arable or non-arable but as plantable or unplantable. With the exception of occasional areas required for nursery purposes, it is not the practice of the Forestry Division to acquire arable land. Where an offer of land for sale to the Forestry Division includes any appreciable area of arable land, the matter is referred to the Land Commission to ascertain whether the arable portion is required for the relief of congestion, etc.
It would be a matter of considerable difficulty to go over the details of every purchase of land made since 1932 to ascertain what small proportions of arable land (if any) are included in the annual totals and I do not think it would serve any useful purpose commensurate with the amount of work involved.
The maximum price paid for forestry lands is £4 per acre and this may be taken as the price paid for any arable land coming into the hands of the Forestry Division.