Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Afforestation.
- Forestry employment in Donegal 2 speeches
The Minister reported that 237 forestry workers were on the Department’s payroll in Donegal and said forest-by-forest figures would be circulated.
Pat the Cope Gallagher, Michael D'Arcy
- Land acquisition for Donegal afforestation 10 speeches
The Department had contracts to buy about 2,100 acres in Donegal and was considering further offers. The Minister said the £3.5 million allocation would be spent acquiring land nationwide in 1984, with purchases guided by available staff; he could not promise Donegal a fixed share. He did not know whether all land bought the previous year had been paid for, and the Ceann Comhairle said the request for a county share was a budgetary matter.
Pat the Cope Gallagher, Michael D'Arcy, Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the number of people employed at the various forests in County Donegal.
Comment on this
The total number of forestry workers on the Department's payroll in County Donegal at a recent date was 237. The employment figures for individual forests are contained in a table which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Following is the table:
12.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry his proposals for the purchase of additional land in County Donegal for afforestation.
Comment on this
At a recent date my Department had entered into contracts for the purchase of some 2,100 acres in County Donegal for afforestation purposes. Further offers of land in the county are being considered as they arise.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that the price of land is at an all-time low in County Donegal? Will his Department take advantage of that and buy a considerable amount of land?
Comment on this
The price for forestry land is at an all-time low in every county, not just Donegal. I have an allocation of £3.5 million and every penny of it will be spent in acquiring land right across the country. I cannot favour one county more than another. These decisions are made by my Department and they will be related to the staff available in each county. I should like to state that the new policy, which I hope will be accepted by the Government, will apply to all counties, including Donegal.
Comment on this
Will all this money be spent on land bought this year or is some of that money allocated to paying for land bought last year?
Comment on this
The £3.5 million will be spent in acquiring land in 1984. The same amount was available for 1983 and, by the end of the year, practically all that money was spent in acquiring land.
Comment on this
I do not have that information but I am sure if it has not been paid for already it will be paid for in the near future.
Comment on this
Will the Minister ensure that when money is being spent in all Departments Donegal will get one twenty-sixth of the amount available? If so, I would have no reason for complaint.
