asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (1) whether the holdings allotted to Gaeltacht migrants in County Meath are deemed to be economic holdings; (2) what is the average all-in cost of each holding to the Land Commission; (3) what is (a) the average acreage of each holding; (b) the average valuation per acre; (c) the average annuity per acre.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaeltacht Migrants' Holdings.
Mr. Boland:
The holdings allotted to migrants under the Gaeltacht colony schemes are deemed to be economic. As regards the completed colony No. 1, at Rathcarran, the average all-in cost to the Land Commission of each holding is approximately £1,051, exclusive of the price of the land, £398 per holding, which is being repaid under the provisions of the 1933 Land Act, half by the migrants and half borne by the State. The average acreage of each holding in colony No. 1 is 21a. 3r. 5p., and the average poor law valuation per acre is £1 2s. 8d. The annuity per acre is 17/4, revised to 8/8 under the provisions of the Land Act, 1933. As regards colony No. 2, at Gibbstown, it is not possible to supply detailed figures, as the scheme has not yet been completed. It may, however, be stated that an area of 1,143a. 1r. 18p. has been already allotted among 50 migrants, averaging 22a. 3r. 18p. per holding. The annuity per acre (as in the case of colony No. 1) averages 17/4 (revised to 8/8).
Is the Minister in a position to say if any one of the original allottees who held on either of these two colonies has thrown up his holding?
Mr. Boland:
Two migrants did, in the case of the first colony at Rathcarran, return to the Gaeltacht.
And none in the second colony?
Mr. Boland:
They are not very long there yet, but as far as I know none of them has thrown up his holding.
Time will tell.
Will the Minister state the reason why the migrants in No. 1 colony at Rathcarran left?
Mr. Boland:
I understand there were personal reasons. The Deputy can be sure of that. I think it was the call of the sea.
Can the Minister say if a number of the tenants who have migrated to No. 1 colony at Rathcarran have migrated to England during the last twelve months?
Mr. Boland:
We will have the Vote on the Estimate for the Land Commission in the course of the week, and Deputies can spread themselves out on the debate.