asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether the Land Commission propose to acquire the untenanted and leased lands on the estate of Lord Castletown, Granstown, Ballacolla, County Leix, or what is the cause of the delay in acquiring and dividing same.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Lands in Leix-Offaly.
The Land Commission have under consideration the question of instituting proceedings for the resumption of certain of the holdings on the Castletown Estate held under lease, for the purpose of relieving congestion.
The untenanted lands on the estate have been inspected and the question of their acquisition is also under consideration. The owner objects to the acquisition of these lands on the grounds that they are demesne lands coming under the provisions of Section 24 (2c.) of the Land Act, 1923.
Is the Minister aware that this case was under consideration by the previous Government for four years? Can the Minister now give an undertaking that a decision will be arrived at by the present Government inside one year and four months?
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether the Land Commission have yet acquired the estate of Captain Burdett, Mullaghmore, Banagher, County Offaly; whether a division scheme is being prepared in connection with same; whether persons with existing turbary rights will be provided for in the scheme for the purchase and division of these lands, and when the proposed division scheme is likely to be put into operation.
The question of the acquisition of the untenanted lands on the Burdett estate is still under consideration. In the event of the lands being acquired the claim of parties who have existing turbary rights thereon will be fully considered.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether a scheme for the division of the Hackett Estate, Ballycumber, Co. Offaly, has been prepared or sanctioned by the Land Commission and, if so, when same will be put into operation; whether the Commissioners decline to deal with applications for portions of land on this estate from persons occupying labourers' cottages on and adjoining these lands, and whether he can give an undertaking that deserving and suitable applicants of the class referred to will be provided for in the scheme for the division of this estate, also what amount, if any, has been allocated for improvement work on the estate, and when the Commissioners hope to be in a position to carry out same.
A scheme for the division of the untenanted lands acquired on the Hackett Estate has been approved by the Land Commission and will be put into operation at an early date.
All applications for allotment of lands on the estate were duly considered when the scheme of division was being prepared, and the lands have been allotted in accordance with the provisions of Section 31 of the Land Act, 1923.
The scheme provides for the expenditure of a sum of £1,582 in respect of improvements, which will be available immediately the lands are divided.
Is the Minister aware, as stated in the question, that applicants who are occupants of labourers' cottages on the land or adjoining the land were not entertained simply because they happened to occupy such cottages, and will he say if that is in accordance with the policy of the present Government?
I do not think that that is so.
If the Minister is furnished with a written statement showing that it is correct will he undertake to see that the occupiers of labourers' cottages on and adjoining the land will be properly considered?
They were not debarred and they are not debarred under the Act.
Is the Minister aware that a Land Commission inspector who visited the area and interviewed applicants made that statement? I want to know if it is correct or if it is in accordance with the policy of the present Government.
The Deputy can give it to me in writing.