asked the Minister for Lands whether he can state (a) how many estates in County Sligo have been inspected and valued for purchase since the 1st January, 1933; (b) in how many of these estates were prices offered to the owners and how many have accepted the prices offered; (c) how many schemes on hands in County Sligo not yet commenced or completed; and (d) what is the present strength of the Land Commission staff in County Sligo, having particular regard to Grade II men experienced in the preparation of schemes for sub-division.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inspection and Valuation of Sligo Estates.
I understand from the wording of the Deputy's question that he is concerned only with the number of estates which have been definitely valued as suitable for acquisition; and not with the larger number which have been the subject of preliminary inspection.
(a) Since the 1st January, 1933, in County Sligo, 22 estates have been inspected and valued with a view to acquisition and division by the Land Commission under the Land Acts 1923-33.
(b) In ten of these estates, prices have been offered to the owners for voluntary purchase or the lands have been gazetted for compulsory purchase; and in two of the ten estates prices have been agreed on or fixed. In the same period, offers have been made or the lands gazetted in respect of 13 additional estates in County Sligo which had been inspected prior to the 1st January, 1933, and in four of these estates prices have been agreed on or fixed.
(c) Fourteen schemes of land division are at present being prepared by inspectors in County Sligo; and 11 schemes which have been prepared are under consideration by the Land Commission. These include residues of estates already partially divided.
(d) The present staff of Land Commission Inspectors stationed in County Sligo numbers five, consisting of one inspector in charge, one Grade II inspector, and three Grade III inspectors. The Land Commission staff in any area is not a permanent quota; officers are moved from district to district as the necessities of the work may require. The Sligo staff has recently been augmented.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that the present staff in Sligo is adequate to deal with the number of estates which have been inspected and for which schemes are being prepared?
The number of the staff is continually under review and is altered as occasion demands. As already indicated, where necessary, the inspectorial staff has been increased.
In view of the fact that the previous staff in Sligo numbered five and that, at the present time, there is an additional amount of work placed on the Land Commission staff, I should like to get an assurance from the Parliamentary Secretary that he will take steps to augment the present staff in Sligo for the purpose of dealing more expeditiously with the estates in hands.
Particularly in view of the total number of people unemployed.
The whole position is being carefully watched. We have to consider every other area as well as Sligo.