asked the Minister for Lands if he will state why Michael Bourke, Kilshane Lodge, Tipperary, was not given a holding on the Lowe estate on which he had been employed for a long number of years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Holdings on County Tipperary Estate.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state why the Land Commission failed to provide James Kavanagh with a holding on the Lowe estate, Kilshane, Tipperary, where he had been employed as steward for over 12 years.
I propose to take together the Deputy's two questions relative to allotments on the Lowe estate, County Tipperary. The applications of Michael Bourke and James Kavanagh for parcels of land on the Lowe estate received due consideration by the Land Commission, but it was not found possible to make provision for allotments to these two applicants. The loss of their employment by these applicants did not arise from the taking over of the untenanted lands in this matter by the Land Commission.
Arising out of that reply, would the Parliamentary Secretary state if it was not possible to provide holdings for James Kavanagh who had given more than 12 years' service on the estate, under the last owner, and for Michael Bourke who worked on the estate all his life from the time he was a boy. How was it possible to find accommodation for people who never had any interest in the estate and were brought in there from outside?
One of the ex-employees, Michael Bourke was taken into employment by the Holy Ghost Fathers who purchased portion of the estate from the previous owner, and was only disemployed for some time previous on the taking over of the estate. With regard to the other ex-employee, James Kavanagh, he had only been in the employment of the former owner since 1929.
Is it not a fact that Michael Bourke worked all his lifetime on the estate? Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if the Land Commission propose to depart from their usual practice of providing some alternative means of livelihood for those who lose their employment as the result of the Land Commission taking over the estate?
I have already indicated that this man did not lose employment as a result of the taking over of the estate. He was taken over by a man who purchased it from his former employer and was kept in employment.