asked the Minister for Lands what is the total area of land at present held by the Forestry Section of his Department; and if it is proposed to increase the purchase price for land being acquired in the future, with a view to increasing the plantable reserve.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Lands.
58.
The total area of land held by Forestry Division at 31/12/69 was 650,958 acres.
As the House is aware, a new system of land valuation has been introduced for the purchase of forest land. Under this system prices of land are based on the potential timber yield of the land and on the level of capital development cost likely to be involved. Valuations for good class forest land have been substantially increased under the new system.
There is naturally a considerable time lag before the results of the new valuation system become apparent but I am satisfied that the intake in the current year will show a substantial increase on last year's very low figure and that we will get further improvements next year.
59.
asked the Minister for Lands what was the total area of land acquired by the Forestry Section of his Department in each of the years 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969; and up to the latest date for which figures are available.
The total area of land acquired in each of the years in question was:
|
1965-66 |
21,647 acres |
|
1966-67 |
23,584,, |
|
1967-68 |
17,581,, |
|
1968-69 |
14,108,, |
In the current year, 1969-70, 14,062 acres were acquired up to 31st December, 1969.
60.
asked the Minister for Lands what acreage of land he proposes to have planted by the Forestry Section of his Department in the present year; if any additional labour will be required for this purpose; and, if so, how much.
The planting programme for the year 1969-70 will approximate 22,500 acres.
The implementation of this programme will not require any increase in total forest staff, but additional staff may be required at some individual forests.
In view of the fact that the target was 25,000 acres many years ago and that it had been achieved why is this figure of 23,000 acres on the programme for this year?
I have not that information.
There is a drop in the acreage being planted as compared with previous years.
I am not so aware. I have no information indicating that. The question asked for the approximate figures for the present year. I have no comparative figures for previous years.
Years ago the target was 25,000 acres. It means a reduction in employment if the figure drops.
Some of the forests are maturing.