asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in respect of the constituency of Cork West the amount and location of land purchased by his Department for afforestation schemes; and when it is proposed to commence work on each scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Cork Afforestation Schemes.
24.
It would be impossible to furnish detailed information in the manner sought by the Deputy without the expenditure of an unjustifiable amount of staff time.
There are six State forests (Bandon, Dunmanway, Glengarriff, Inchigeelagh, Macroom and Roscarbery) in West Cork comprising a total productive area of 12,173 acres, of which a total of 6,999 acres has been planted. Planting programmes totalling 1,549 acres are scheduled at the six centres this season, compared with a total of 1,113 acres in 1957-58. Preliminary work has been in progress on the planting areas since last summer and planting work is now under way. Up to 220 men will be employed at the West Cork forests during the planting season.
The balance of the lands acquired by the Forestry Division in West Cork is being held over as part of the plantable reserve of the various forests. This is in accordance with normal forestry practice.