asked the Minister for Lands if people who have got holdings on estates divided by the Land Commission previously will be considered for an extension of these holdings when land becomes available in the area.
45.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission Estates.
44.
asked the Minister for Lands what is the present policy of the Land Commission with regard to a viable holding.
46.
asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of rising costs, he proposes to raise the standard minimum acreage of good land, the equivalent of which the Land Commission consider will enable a farm family to earn a living.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 45 and 46 together.
Since 1962, land settlement policy has been that holdings and enlargements are planned to provide family farms of 40 to 45 acres of good land or the equivalent in land of mixed quality. All applicants with holdings below that level, including any which may previously have been enlarged, are eligible for consideration for additional land.
Just now the whole question of the future policy of the Land Commission, and land policy in general, is under active consideration by the Government.
Pending a decision on the various issues being examined, I think it would be premature to comment further on the matter.
I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. Apparently some of the officials in the Land Commissionl seem to have taken the Minister's words, with which I agree, as being the new policy of the Land Commission. In addition, some of the officials have stated that people who have already got Land Commission holdings are not eligible. Will the Minister ensure that everybody working in that capacity at the Land Commission is aware of the actual policy? I know the Minister has given me a reply but perhaps he would do this.
I can only add that no directive has been issued to the Land Commission in this regard so that existing policy, which has been in operation since 1962, is continued in operation. The question of what changes will be made in policy is under active consideration at the moment. There is no reason why estates being divided at the present time should not be divided in accordance with existing policy.
Would the Minister say when he considers the new policy is likely to be in operation?
That is a difficult question to answer. I do not think any announcement will be made, not in this session.
Is the Minister aware that the standard acreage used by the ACC for the same purpose has been raised recently to 60 acres? Should not the Land Commission follow the same line as the ACC in this matter? Therefore would the Minister not consider, in view of the changes that have occurred since 1962, authorising an increase as soon as possible?
We do not have to follow the ACC on this matter. So far as I am concerned, what the ACC do is a matter for themselves. In this regard I shall be looking at the totality of the activities of the Land Commission and not at one particular aspect.
(Cavan): Would the Minister not agree that the policy pursued recently by the ACC regarding the purchase of adjoining farms appears to be a sound policy? It is one that might be carefully considered by the Minister and his Department.
As the Deputy is aware, I do not have responsibility for the activities of the ACC. However, I note with interest what they do and any changes they make in their policy from time to time.
Is it not true that the policy which has been suggested by the last two speakers is entirely contrary to the declaration of what the Minister thought should be Land Commission policy, namely, a farmer having a plot of land and a job also?
One must distinguish between wholetime and fulltime farming.