asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the area of land in County Mayo acquired for afforestation purposes in the 12 months ended 31st October, 1955.

During the 12 months ended on 31st October, 1955, 2,593 acres were taken over by the Department in County Mayo for afforestation purposes.

Might I inquire from the Minister if he has any employment figures for these forests?

In 1948 the employment figure was ten; in 1949, 30; in 1950, 20; in 1951, 77; in 1952, 99; in 1953, 87; 1954, 110; in 1955, 120; and in the last week of October this year, 150.

Deputy Killilea did not expect that.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the total acreage of land (a) purchased for afforestation, (b) for which offers had been accepted and titles were being investigated, and (c) in respect of which offers were in course of negotiation as for the half-year ended 30th September, 1955, in each of the congested district counties.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the total acreage of land (a) purchased for afforestation, (b) for which offers had been accepted and titles were being investigated, and (c) in respect of which offers were in course of negotiation as for the half-year ended 30th September, 1955.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take both of these questions together and to supply the information required in the form of a tabular statement for circulation with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:—

PARTICULARS FOR CONGESTED COUNTIES IN RESPECT OF HALF-YEAR ENDED 30/9/1955.

PARTICULARS FOR COUNTRY IN GENERAL IN RESPECT OF HALF-YEAR ENDED 30/9/1955.