asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what progress has been made in the allocation of the lands in the hands of the Land Commission in County Mayo; what steps have been taken for the acquisition of various holdings in the county, following upon representations made by Deputies of the Clann na Talmhan Party representing County Mayo, and further, whether there are any concrete plans for the resumption of migration from congested districts in Mayo to the Midlands, particularly from districts where the rundale system exists.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allocation of County Mayo Lands.
The answer to the first part of the question is that the allocation of such land as has come into the possession of the Land Commission in Co. Mayo, as elsewhere, is proceeding as fast as possible. D e s p i t e shortages of materials and inspectorial staff, some 1,750 acres of untenanted land in County Mayo were allotted in the last financial year.
As regards the second part of the question, a comprehensive reply would entail much investigation and labour. It is not feasible to divert staff for such a purpose but the Deputy can readily ascertain the position of individual cases in which he is interested by inquiry to the Land Commission.
To the last part of the question the answer is that further migration from congested areas in the West must depend upon the acquisition of land and the provision of buildings in the Midlands. It is the policy of the Land Commission to arrange for such transfers whenever and wherever possible.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, does the Minister realise that there is a land hunger in County Mayo at the moment and that there is a considerable acreage in the hands of the Land Commission and a considerable number of holdings unoccupied and underworked because of the tenants being ill, or dead, or outside of the country? Will he now take immediate steps and devote all his attention to the allocation of the lands taken over, particularly the Irwin estate?
The Land Commission is aware that there is a dire congestion in Mayo. I have also pointed out on various occasions to the House that there is quite a lot of land in Mayo in the hands of the Land Commission, but the greater part of it is mountainous and waste and is unsuitable for division. Those isolated holdings of which the Deputy speaks are being held in order properly to allocate the land between the various people as soon as possible.
The Irwin estate is ready now. A few shovels and spades will get the work done in a few weeks for you.