(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if a similar number of men will be employed this year for road work in west Cavan as last year.

The Forest and Wildlife Service does not recruit men specifically for road construction which is only one of a number of operations covered by annual forest programmes. There will be no reduction in the number of men employed on such programmes in west Cavan during the present year.

(Cavan-Monaghan): How many men are employed on these programmes in west Cavan?

The figure is not on my brief but if the Deputy wishes I can have the information conveyed to him.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister assure me that there will not be any net reduction in the number of men employed by the Department in west Cavan this year?

That is precisely the commitment I have given in the reply.