asked the Minister for Agriculture if an estimate could be made of the amount of untenanted land in Co. Mayo available for distribution, when the work of distribution will begin, and what is the earliest time the new owners may hope to get possession, and if any of the bog available for distribution can be "striped" in time to be worked next year.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISTRIBUTION OF MAYO LANDS.
LIAM MAC SIOGHAIRD
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission cannot as yet give any accurate estimate of the amount of untenanted land in Co. Mayo.
There is vested in the Land Commission, as successors of the Congested Districts Board, some 113,000 acres of untenanted land in that County, of which 9,000 acres is arable, 10,000 bog, 90,000 mountain and rough grazing, and 4,000 water, waste, etc.
The distribution of these lands is being proceeded with as rapidly as possible. The powers conferred on the Land Commission by the Land Act, 1923, will enable the Commission to deal with the difficulties which previously existed.
With regard to land purchase in general, the preliminary work in connection with the collection of arrears and payment in lieu of rent is being completed more quickly than was expected, and a preliminary survey has already been made of some estates. We are now in a position to take the first steps towards the acquisition of land under the Land Act, 1923. In the "Iris Oifigiuil" of next Tuesday, the 27th instant, there will appear the first list of the estates which it is proposed to acquire, and we hope to be able to publish further lists in each succeeding issue for some time. Land purchase will proceed with all possible expedition.