1987 tree planting programme
The Minister outlined an 8,000-hectare planting programme and said 240 additional temporary workers would be employed. He distinguished State planting from private planting, noting a 3,000-hectare private target and clarifying that the workers were additional to the national programme.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the tree planting programme for 1987 which will be undertaken by his Department; its geographical location; and the increased numbers to be employed as a result.
Comment on this
The planting programme to be undertaken by my Department in 1987 will be 8,000 hectares geographically distributed as follows:
Planting operations will give temporary employment over a four month period to 240 extra men in respect of an additional 1,000 hectares being undertaken this year.
Comment on this
Is the Minister satisfied that the geographical spread undertaken by the Department, takes advantage of the substantial EC aid which is available for planting? The Minister stated that 240 people are to be employed on a temporary basis this year. Were there not 400 people employed on a temporary basis last year also?
Comment on this
The question seems to relate more to private planting than to State planting in so far as EC aid is concerned. The Department will obviously press ahead with increasing the possibilities for private planting also which has its own employment content. The target for that is 3,000 hectares. I can assure the Deputy that we are referring to additional part-time workers over and above that included nationally for the full programme.