asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number of applications received from farmers in Counties Leitrim and Sligo who are anxious to exchange holdings under the migratory scheme, during the last few years, the number of such applications dealt with and the number of migrants who have been thus transferred; and if he will further state the number of farmers who have offered their holdings to the Land Commission for sale under the Land Act, 1950, the number of acres involved and the general progress which has been made under this heading and if he will indicate approximately the progress he anticipates will be made under these headings within the next six months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leitrim and Sligo Migratory Scheme.
Mr. Maguire
During the last three years, 178 farmers in Counties Leitrim and Sligo applied for exchanges of holdings. None of these has been migrated but 164 have been noted for further consideration when suitable land becomes available.
Six land owners in these counties have offered to sell their holdings, comprising 405 acres in all, to the Land Commission under the Land Act, 1950. The offers are being investigated but it is not possible to indicate what progress towards purchase will be made in the next six months.
The extent of future migration will depend on the amount of land that becomes available and, as regards the applicants in Counties Leitrim and Sligo, on the merits of their claims vis-a-vis the claims of thousands of other applicants.