asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the number of holdings at present in the hands of the Land Commission in County Leitrim; (b) the approximate aggregate acreage held; and (c) the reason for delay in having these holdings divided among the prospective tenants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Leitrim Holdings.
There is at present in the hands of the Land Commission in County Leitrim a total area of over 3,000 acres comprised in 34 estates or holdings. There has been no avoidable delay in connection with the allotment of these lands, which include a high proportion of bog and mountain grazing difficult to dispose of. Schemes of division will in all cases be put into operation as soon as practicable.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number of applications at present in the hands of the Land Commission, from County Leitrim, for holdings outside the county, and what are the prospects of these applications receiving favourable consideration in the near future.
There are at present 140 applications from County Leitrim for exchange holdings outside the county. It is not possible to give a definite answer to the second part of the question.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that an official of the Land Commission visited Streeda, Grange, County Sligo, in January, 1948, taking the names of farmers in that area with a view to having the bog in Tawley, County Leitrim, divided immediately, and that this bog has not yet been divided; and, if so, whether he will state when it will be divided, as the tenants in this area have to purchase turf banks at a very high price.
The Land Commission have decided to institute proceedings for the acquisition of certain boglands in the Tawley area, County Leitrim, but are not in a position to state at the moment when lands, if acquired, will be divided.