asked the Minister for Lands if he will state if he has any plans under consideration for the acquisition of suitable land in the Baltinglass area for planting; and, if so, if he will give a direction to have the work put in hand as soon as possible, so as to help to alleviate unemployment in the district.

The Forestry Division has agreed to purchase an area of 107 acres in the townland of Stratford Lodge from the Land Commission. It is unlikely that possession will be obtained in time to enable any planting to be done in the current season but it may be possible to have some preparatory work carried out when the area is acquired.

Four other areas in this district totalling 160 acres have been inspected and valued for forestry purposes and further investigations are proceeding.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what progress is being made on the afforestation scheme at Dromore-Glenquin in the electoral division of Glengort, County Limerick.

Agreement has been reached for the purchase of three areas totalling 54 acres in the townlands of Dromore and Glenquin and title investigation is proceeding.

asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the fact that the lands attaching to Dromore Castle are suitable and available for afforestationpurposes, and that in anticipation of their use for this purpose an application was made by the owners of this property to the Limerick County Council for an order to demolish the castle, he will indicate his Department's intention in the matter.

My Department has had the acquisition of this estate for forestry purposes under active consideration but I am not at present disposed to take any steps in the matter.

Only ten acres of this estate are not already devoted to timber production or covered by replanting conditions under Section 41 of the Forestry Act, 1946.

asked the Minister for Lands if he has been offered or proposes to acquire land in the Glynn-Killurin area for the purpose of afforestation.

Agreement has been reached for the purchase of 56 acres at Harristown and adjoining areas totalling 65 acres are listed for inspection.