asked the Minister for Lands if he will give particulars in regard to State forestry operations for each year since 1922 as to (a) the area planted, (b) the number of men employed, (c) the expenditure, and (d) the income.

The information sought, in so far as it is available, is given in a tabular statement, which I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:—

State Forestry Operations, 1922-1962.

Notes:

(a) Employment figures for the years 1922-23 to 1926-27 (inclusive) are not available.

(b) Changes in methods introduced over the period 1955-57 had the effect of transferring employment on certain operations from the direct to the indirect employment category. Employment figures for 1957-58 and subsequent years are not, therefore, strictly comparable with the figures for previous years.