asked the Minister for Lands whether, with a view to lessening the anticipated fall in employment of 36,000 in the number of workers in agriculture, forestry and fisheries in the period 1960 to 1970, he will take steps to raise the annual forestry target to 30,000 acres.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Target.
38.
The steps which the Deputy suggests would not have a significant effect on the sectoral employment figure as the employment content for established work in forestry is not particularly high. In any event, my Department are experiencing difficulty in acquiring sufficient land to maintain the present programme of 25,000 acres of annual planting and extension beyond that figure would not in present circumstances be practicable.
I should like to remind the Deputy that the Second Programme for Economic Expansion envisages a substantial overall increase in employment.