The potential for optical amplification at 1.3mum is demonstrated in a dysprosium-doped gallium-lanthanum-sulphide based glass. Lifetimes of 59mus are observed for the H-6(9/2)-H-6(15/2) transition for which the emission peaks at 1.32mum. A radiative lifetime of 203mus is calculated by a Judd-Ofelt analysis, indicating a total radiative quantum efficiency of 29%. A pump absorption cross-section 20 times greater than Pr3+ suggests that shorter fibre devices may be possible.