asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the acreage of land divided in the counties of (1) Laoighis and (2) Offaly during the three years ended March 31st, 1939, and particulars of the number of undermentioned classes of applicants who received holdings or additional land during the same period: (1) workers who lost employment on lands acquired and divided; (2) uneconomic holders; (3) tenants of labourers' cottages; (4) landless men; (5) representatives of evicted tenants; (6) migrants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition and Division of Lands.
Mr. Boland
The detailed particulars which the Deputy desires are not yet available in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1939. The particulars for the two years ended, respectively, 31st March, 1937, and 31st March, 1938, are set out in a tabular statement, which will be circulated in the Official Report.
The statement is as follows:—
ALLOTMENT OF UNTENANTED LAND UNDER LAND ACTS, 1923-36.
|
LAOIGHIS |
OFFALY |
|||||||
|
Classification |
year ended 31/3/37 |
year ended 31/3/38 |
year ended 31/3/37 |
year ended 31/3/38 |
||||
|
No. of Allottees |
Area acres |
No. of Allottees |
Area acres |
No. of Allottees |
Area acres |
No. of Allottees |
Area acres |
|
|
(1) Former Employees |
12 |
265 |
11 |
266 |
26 |
522 |
4 |
114 |
|
(2) Uneconomic Holders |
101 |
1,298 |
73 |
915 |
150 |
1,180 |
60 |
450 |
|
(3) Tenants of Labourers' Cottages |
6 |
38 |
25 |
213 |
16 |
122 |
10 |
101 |
|
(4) Landless Men |
26 |
544 |
12 |
329 |
74 |
1,579 |
4 |
114 |
|
(5) Reps. of Evicted Tenants |
1 |
8 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
(6) Migrants |
1 |
29 |
7 |
140 |
33 |
820 |
23 |
480 |
|
Other Miscellaneous Allotments |
153 |
2,152 |
14 |
536 |
74 |
315 |
49 |
79 |
|
Total alloted |
300 |
4,334 |
142 |
2,399 |
373 |
4,538 |
150 |
1,338 |
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what steps, if any, have been taken for the purpose of acquiring and dividing the lands of Roe (Rushall) and Bennett (Knockbrack), Castletown, County Laoighis; and if and when division schemes are likely to be put into operation.
Mr. Boland
Notices have been published by the Land Commission of their intention to apply to the Appeal Tribunal for leave to resume the holding of Robert F. Bennett containing 156a. Or. 28p. in the townland of Knockbrack on the Coote Estate, Record No. S5593, and portion containing 86a. Or. 20p. of the holding of Misses Clara and Gertrude Roe in the townland of Rush Hall on the same estate. Petitions against resumption have been lodged by the respective tenants and it is not possible at present to anticipate a decision.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number of tenants of labourers' cottages who made application for portions of land on the Minchin estate, Busherstown, Moneygall, Offaly, and the number of such applicants who received portions of land when the estate was divided.
Mr. Boland
Applications for land on the Minchin estate of 122 acres were received from 19 tenants of board of health labourers' cottages. Two of these applicants were provided with parcels, one of 26 acres and one of 15 acres 1 rood.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether he has received repeated applications during the past five years from and on behalf of the large number of tenants of labourers' cottages and uneconomic holders living in and around Shinrone, County Offaly, in favour of acquiring and dividing the large acreage of untenanted lands in the locality; and if he will state what steps, if any, he has taken to meet the wishes of the local people in this congested area.
Mr. Boland
Representations regarding the acquisition of lands in the Shrinrone district have been received and enquiries are being made regarding a number of estates in the locality.
Is it a fact that these inquiries have been going on for a period of over five years, and will the Minister undertake to see that the people responsible for making representations will get a reply within a reasonable time, especially in view of the fact that there are thousands of acres of untenanted land available for division in this area? Is there any hope that the inquiries will be completed within a reasonable time?
Mr. Boland
As I often stated before, the Land Commission are making investigations all over the country, and I am not able to say how soon they will be in a position to deal with this property, but I will draw their attention to the desirability of expediting matters.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what steps, if any, have been taken for the purpose of acquiring and dividing the lands (including bogs) on the estate of R.K. Carter, Cuddagh, Castletown, County Laoighis; and if and when a division scheme is likely to be put into operation.
Mr. Boland
The Land Commission have instituted proceedings for the acquisition of an area of bog containing 55 acres 1 rood on the lands of Cuddagh and a scheme for its division is in course of preparation. It is not possible at present to state when the scheme will be put into operation.