asked the Minister for Lands if he will state: (a) the total amount of public moneys expended on the Cloosh Valley Scheme; (b) whether the scheme was completed; (c) the purposes of the scheme and the benefits, if any, expected to be derived therefrom.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cloosh Valley Scheme.
(a) The total cost to the Land Commission of the reclamation work carried out at Cloosh Valley was £16,978 17s. 4d.
(b) The project was tackled in progressive stages. The first, which was purely experimental, consisted of the creation of six holdings of 30 to 38 acres each on which an area of about two acres each was reclaimed by the Land Commission. The necessary roads, fences, drains and housing accommodation were provided and the holdings were then allotted to families from nearby congested areas. Work on these holdings commenced in 1927, and the families went into occupation in 1930. The holdings were kept under observation and the Land Commission were satisfied with the progress made. A second scheme of six similar holdings was initiated in 1937, and these holdings were allotted in 1940. Again the allottees made satisfactory progress. A scheme for the creation of a further 11 holdings was contemplated in 1941, but it was decided, on account of the scarcity of materials, particularly manures and building materials, to defer the project until the supply position should have eased after the emergency. It is felt that the time is not yet opportune for consideration of the resumption of the work.
(c) The scheme was primarily an experiment in reclamation with a view to the possibility of utilising the extensive areas of non-arable land in the western seaboard counties for the creation of new holdings for migrants from congested areas. The proposal had much to recommend it. In dealing with areas of acute congestion, it is desirable to evacuate some of the existing landholders to new holdings so that their old land can be used for the betterment of those who remain. Such families, especially the women folk, have always shown great reluctance to go far afield, and it was felt that if new holdings near home, where environment and farming conditions would be little different, could be offered much of their reluctance would be overcome. There was, too, the consideration that the successful establishment of new holdings on these lands, hitherto almost waste, would benefit the community as a whole by adding to the arable land in the country. The first six holdings made little appeal to prospective migrants. This was natural. The possibility of prospering in a holding partially reclaimed from rough moorland was a venture which might not succeed and landholders who had a fairly certain if miserable existence on their own little holdings were not disposed to exchange. Only one did. The other five holdings were allotted to landless men with families. These men were the sons of smallholders in congested areas. All six allottees succeeded, as did the allottees of the second set of six holdings, two of whom were migrants and four landless men.
The experiment in Cloosh Valley may fairly be described as a success. Twelve large families have been taken from conditions of starvation-line existence and have been established on holdings in which they are able to work out a livelihood in reasonable comfort. Even more important, however, is the fact that the Land Commission have gained immense experience in the reclamation of semi-waste lands and have shown that they can successfully be converted into agricultural holdings.
Should it be decided to undertake further reclamation, this experience will be invaluable, and the success which has attended the holdings already established will, it is confidently expected, be a strong inducement to smallholders who were previously afraid to migrate.
Will the Minister say why it is not considered opportune to proceed with an extension of the Cloosh Valley Scheme at present?
Scarcity of building materials is one objection, and there are others.
Are the others financial?
No.