asked the Minister for Lands if he will request the Forestry Branch of his Department to start afforestation work in the Thurles area, County Tipperary so as to give work to those men who lost their employment in Bord na Móna through the installation of machinery for saving turf at Derryhogan, Littleton.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Forestry Work.
57.
The amount of work available at State Forest lands in the area is sufficient only to maintain the employment of the existing forestry staff and I regret therefore that my Department is unable to provide any solution to the problem referred to by the Deputy.
58.
asked the Minister for Lands what progress has been made towards the purchase of seven hundred acres of land offered to the Forestry Branch of his Department by landowners at Knockmaroe, Milestone, Thurles, County Tipperary, for the purpose of afforestation; and if he will take steps to have the matter expedited with a view to the commencement of work in order to relieve unemployment in this area.
The Forestry Division of my Department was recently offered two areas totalling 160 acres for afforestation purposes in the townland of Knockmaroe, near Milestone, Co. Tipperary. It is understood that other owners in the townland may also be willing to offer some land and arrangements are being made to have the areas in question inspected at an early date.