asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that some time ago various landholders in the districts comprising the Kilgarvan Centre, County Kerry, offered land for afforestation; and if he will state the acreage (1) offered, (2) surveyed, (3) accepted and already acquired, (4) awaiting inspection, and (5) awaiting acquisition, and the number of forestry workers in Kilgarvan Centre.

To date the Forestry Division of my Department have acquired a productive area of 2,078 acres in the Kilgarvan area for afforestation.

It is planned to take possession of an area of 756 acres at Incheese soon and negotiations are in progress for the purchase of another area of 376 acres at Cummeenboy. In addition twelve other cases totalling 1,395 acres at the preliminary stages of investigation are receiving attention.

Employment is at present afforded to 24 men at Kilgarvan Forestry Centre.

Will the Minister ensure that the survey and acquisition of these lands will be expedited so that employment may be retained because there is a danger that the workers may be unemployed in the near future?

The survey is under way at the moment. There should be no unemployment.