asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the acreage and price per acre received by the Land Commission for lands let in conacre or on the 11 months' system and if he will state what steps are being taken to acquire lands let in conacre or on the 11 months' system for the relief of congestion in the Counties of Laoighis and Offaly and elsewhere.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conacre Lettings.
I presume the first part of the question refers to lands let by the Land Commission for tillage. The latest period for which returns of such lettings are readily available is that ending on 31st October, 1949. For that period about 1,700 acres were let by the Land Commission in conacre throughout the Twenty-Six Counties at an average rent of £2 13s. 0d. per acre.
As regards the latter part of the question, one of the main considerations which influence the Land Commission in their decisions as to what lands should be acquired, is whether the lands are being let in conacre or otherwise. There is no distinction, in this regard, between Laoighis and Offaly and the other counties.
In view of the fact that some of the estates — ranches, if you like — in Leix-Offaly have been let in conacre for, in one case, 55 years, and, in another, 40 years, will he say what steps, if any, are being taken by the Land Commission to acquire and divide these lands for the relief of congestion?
I cannot say offhand what steps the Land Commission has taken in regard to the farms the Deputy has in mind, but one of the principal considerations is the suitability of the land for Land Commission purposes. There may be plenty of land let in conacre which would not be suitable for Land Commission purposes and the Land Commission would not, therefore, interest itself in it.
In view of the fact that private people — non-nationals, in one case — are coming in to acquire these lands, purchasing them by private treaty, and throwing these conacre tenants on the side of the road, will he expedite the activities of the Land Commission in connection with these cases?
That has been done.