asked the Minister for Lands if he will state how many acres of land were divided by the Irish Land Commission in County Clare during the year 1936; how many allottees were put into possession; how many acres of land are now in process of acquisition and distribution by the Irish Land Commission in County Clare, and if he can make an estimate of the total acreage still available for acquisition and distribution and the number of applications for houses made by allottees during 1936 in County Clare, and the number of houses erected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Land in County Clare.
Mr. Hogan
During the calendar year 1936, 3,200 acres of untenanted land were divided by the Land Commission in County Clare among 325 allottees. At the present time, approximately 400 acres of acquired lands are in hands for division in the county and definite proceedings for acquisition (that is to say, by way of offers to purchase or gazetting for acquisition or resumption or exchange of holdings) are in progress in respect of some 4,600 acres of untenanted land; and in addition some 22,000 acres have been inspected or are in course of inspection with a view to ascertaining their suitability for acquisition. It is impracticable at present to make any reliable estimate of the total acreage which may ultimately be available for acquisition and distribution. As regards housing, statistics for the calendar year 1936 are not readily available, but in the financial year ended 31st March, 1937, the number of new dwellinghouses for which assistance was sanctioned by the Land Commission in County Clare numbered 55 and, in addition, sanctions were made for the repair of five houses and for assistance towards building four houses included in schemes of the Local Government Department. These figures include houses for allottees of untenanted land before and after allotment.