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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Apr 1947

Vol. 105 No. 12

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Firewood.

asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the price of wood, sold from the State forests at Cappoquin, has been increased from 32/- to 45/- a ton; that the wood sold is not of any commercial value but is only scrub timber; if he will, accordingly, explain why the price has been so increased when there has been no increase in the wages paid to the workers in the forests; and if he will make immediate arrangements to have the price reduced to a level which the people can afford to pay, or alternatively, allow them to take away and cut up the available timber themselves.

Firewood logs are sold from State forests by the "cord", a measure which may weigh up to two tons. The price at Cappoquin forest was raised from 32/- to 46/- a cord following the recent general price increase of firewood. This increase compensates to some extent for the Department's extra expenses due to increased costs in recent times including wage increases to forestry workmen which preceded the price increase by some months. The new price compares very favourably with the price prevailing outside the State forests. Some lighter firewood is also available at Cappoquin at prices ranging from 1/- to 8/- a load.

Present methods of sale are found to be the most practicable in the circumstances and the alternative suggested by the Deputy is not considered feasible.

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