asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether men who rented and tilled allotments last year and who have since joined the National Army or have been called up for service will be allowed to retain their allotments for supplying food to their families if they are prepared to arrange for the cultivation of those allotments, and whether he will state if they will be given the same concessions in regard to rent, manures and seeds as are given to the unemployed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retention of Allotments by Soldiers.
Where local authorities have put forward proposals to let allotments to persons who worked allotments last year, and who have since joined the Defence Forces, I have informed them that where satisfactory arrangements can be made for the working of the plot either for the benefit of the man or his family the plot should be let to him so that he might still have a claim to it on leaving the Defence Forces. As to the second part of the question, concessions with regard to rent, manures and seeds are confined under the Acquisition of Land (Allotments) (Amendment) Act, 1934, to persons who are "unemployed persons" as defined by that Act. Members of the Defence Forces do not come within the definition.
Will the Minister say under what terms men who had plots before joining the Army and who wish to retain them will be able to retain them?
Local authorities can allow them to pay by instalments or charge them an appropriate rent.
Can the Minister say what is the average rent paid for an allotment and what the average cost of seeding an allotment for the year will be?
I could not say what the cost of seeding will be, but the rent would be something under £1 so far as I know.
Is the Minister aware that I have received a complaint from Cobh that £5 has been charged for an allotment held by a man who has since joined the Army?
That is exceptional. I did not hear that, but I will have inquiries made.
Has the Minister considered amending the Act to which he referred in his reply?
Yes. I considered that matter, but owing to the arrangements which county councils are enabled to make for selling seed to these allottees by instalments or otherwise, I do not think it is necessary.
Mr. Morrissey
I was not referring to that. Will the Minister consider amending the Act to which he referred in reply to the question so as to bring the men who have joined the Army within the Act?
I said that I examined that.
Mr. Morrissey
The Minister was speaking about a different aspect of it. What decision was come to with regard to that?
I examined whether they should get the same concessions as unemployed persons and I do not think that can be done.