asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if, in view of the non-availability of other employment in the forestry areas of County Clare, he will consider increasing the workforce which would lead to further production and which would be only slightly more demanding on the Exchequer than unemployment payments.

While I fully subscribe to the objectives of increasing employment and production, the funds allocated to my Department in the current year unfortunately preclude any increases in the workforce in County Clare forests or indeed in forestry generally. However, I intend to keep the matter under constant review in the light of the prevailing financial circumstances.

689.

asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the number of forestry workers employed in County Clare forests in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981.

The average number of forestry workers employed by my Department in County Clare forests in each of the years in question is as follows: 1977, 120; 1978, 124; 1979, 126; 1980, 128; 1981, 129.