asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the holdings on the Bellingham Estate, Ballycroy, County Mayo, have been vested in the tenants against the wishes of these tenants, as they are objecting that a large amount of work should be done on this estate before vesting, e.g., erection of houses and outoffices, fencing and addition of turbary rights, etc.; further, whether the Land Commission propose to take steps to ensure that those tenants get housing grants, and that other necessary improvements on this estate are carried out as their houses, in some cases, are in a poor condition; and also if arrangements will be made to ensure that those tenants who have no turbary rights will have portions of bogs allocated them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vesting of Mayo Estate.
Thirty-six holdings on the Bellingham estate, County Mayo, were vested by Vesting Order dated 24th January, 1935, under Section 28, Land Act, 1931. Objections to the vesting of 29 of these holdings were lodged, each of which was individually investigated. Owing to the length of time involved in pursuing investigations, the emergency intervened before the objections were listed for hearing, with the result that the objections were not heard until 12th December, 1945, by the commissioners on circuit.
Objections entered on the grounds that vesting should be deferred until houses, out-offices, fences, etc., were erected, and additional turbary rights granted, were disallowed. Ten objections were allowed on technical grounds.
Vested tenants are eligible for assistance under Gaeltacht Housing Acts or for grants under the Housing Acts administered by the Department of Local Government and Public Health and may apply to the Land Commission for additional advances to supplement the latter grants. They may also apply to the Department of Agriculture for assistance under farm improvement schemes in connection with fencing, etc. As regards the provision of additional turbary rights their applications will be considered according as turbary becomes available.