asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the acreage or percentage of land growing commercial timber; the number of working sawmills in the country; the number of kilns in operation in the country; the percentage of native timber used in house construction in this country; the number of tons of timber imported in 1984 for house construction; and the value or cost of imports in 1984.
Written Answers. - Forestry Statistics.
612.
The total area of land growing commercial timber (or the stocked area) is approximately 370,000 ha. (913,900 acres) representing about 5 per cent of the land area of the country.
With regard to the other points in the question, records of the precise information sought are not compiled by my Department but following inquiries in the industry and appropriate State agencies the position is as outlined hereunder:
There are approximately 140 sawmills processing timber for use in house construction.
25 firms have kilns in operation.
The percentage of Irish timber used in house construction is estimated to be of the order of 30 per cent to 40 per cent.
Approximately 182,000 metric tons at a value of £39 million were imported in 1984 for use in house construction.