asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have any intention of purchasing the extensive lands at Kells, Killarney, County Kerry, and the surrounding areas, which were offered to it some six years ago, in view of the small amount of land purchased in the area and of the much larger plantations purchased elsewhere in Kerry; and if he will consider speeding up the Department's policy so as to provide employment for fifty people in South Kerry instead of the six or seven people employed at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Killarney Lands.
31.
The Forestry Division of my Department has purchased 380 acres in the Kells area County Kerry during the last six years and has no offer of land made six years ago still under consideration. State forests in South Kerry provide employment for 162 men at present.
There is a misunderstanding in regard to the latter part of the question. What I meant was that there should be fifty men employed at Kells where there are only a few employed. The same occurs on other forestry estates in South Kerry—in Kenmare and Killarney. Only small numbers of men are employed there when there could be greater numbers taken off the dole and put to work.
The Minister for Lands tries to secure the maximum number of persons in employment and, also, to establish an orderly management of the plantations so as to ensure that maximum number can be given permanent employment.