asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he is aware that when the Scully Estate, Donaskeigh, Co. Tipperary, was recently divided William Crowe, who was formerly employed on the estate, and who was in possession of a house on the estate at the time of division, did not receive an allotment; if this man and his young family will now be evicted from the house to make room for the incoming allottee; if the reason given by the Land Commission for not making a grant of land to Crowe is that he is not possessed of any capital, and, if so, whether this meets with the approval of the Minister; if he will state whether the possession of capital by a landless man is to be regarded as a sine qua non in the distribution of land, and, if so, what percentage of landless men who are employed on estates it is considered will qualify for grants of land; if there are any funds available from which loans may be made to men who, although otherwise suitable applicants for land, are not in possession of capital, and what steps are taken by the Land Commission to inform themselves as to the capital possessed by applicants.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - QUALIFICATIONS FOR GRANTS OF LAND.
It is presumed the Deputy refers to William Crowe, of Ballinaclough, who was formerly employed by the owner of the lands as a labourer, but who for some time previous to the Land Commission taking possession had not been so employed, and is at present working for the County Council on the roads. The Land Commission obtained clear possession of the lands and houses thereon, and Crowe is at present in occupation as a caretaker of the house he formerly occupied as a weekly tenant to the owner. The Land Act provides that the Land Commission in making allotments must be satisfied that a proposed allottee is competent to work the land, and the Land Commission consider Crowe is not a competent person to receive an allotment.
Who decides the question of competence?
The Deputy had better address that to the Minister for Agriculture.