asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the lands of the representatives of the late Michael B. Dignan, Woodberry, Kilconnell, County Galway; and, if so, whether he will state what stage proceedings have reached.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Division.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these lands.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission will inspect with a view to acquisition and division amongst the local people the lands on the Clavin estate, Derooley, Kilcormac, Offaly, and the Jackson estate, Killooley, Kilcormac, Offaly; and if action is to be taken to relieve local congestion whether the proposed division will take place this year.
It is proposed to inspect the Clavin estate with a view to acquisition. The Land Commission have decided not to acquire the Jackson estate. There can, of course, be no allotment unless acquisition first takes place.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the lands of Mr. Moyles at Coolnalacca, Timahoe, Laoighis, have been inspected; and, if so, when they will be divided amongst local deserving applicants.
These lands have not been inspected.
Will the Minister be good enough to request the Land Commission to carry out an early inspection in view of the local agitation?
I will.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number of houses built by the Land Commission and given to successful applicants and which were not occupied up to 1st January, 1951.
On 1st January, 1951, there were 136 unoccupied dwellinghouses on unvested allotments.
Does the Minister propose to take action with a view to having those houses occupied with the least possible delay? Is he aware that these houses were erected at the expense of the taxpayers? They certainly should not be allowed to fall into ruins.
The usual procedure under the 1946 Act was adopted in respect of the 136 houses.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what progress has been made by the Land Commission with a view to the division of the lands of Miss Mary Kennedy at Mount Pleasant, Blue Ball, Tullamore, County Offaly, amongst the many local deserving applicants in the area.
Proceedings have been instituted for the resumption of one of Miss Kennedy's holdings. A petition against resumption has been lodged and the Land Commission have under consideration a proposal to acquire Miss Kennedy's other holding in lieu of the one the subject of proceedings.
That is the first favourable reply that I have had for a long time.
asked the Minister for Lands if and when it is proposed to divide the bog on the Hume Wallace estate, Ballincor, Shinrone, County Offaly, amongst the many local deserving applicants for turbary, and whether it has been recently inspected; and, if so, with what result.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of this bog, which has not been inspected.
In view of the fact that in this area there are quite a large number of small holders and others without turbary, and also in view of the fact that this bog is available, will the Minister be good enough to ask the Land Commission to put a favourable and a sympathetic eye on the bog?
asked the Minister for Lands whether he will state in respect of the lands of Mr. Edward Corcoran at Aughatubrid, County Laoighis (Record No. D/H3) and at Knockbaun, County Laoighis (Record No. D/H3) what progress has been made towards the implementation of a scheme for division since the acquisition of these lands on 17th August, 1931.
A scheme for the division of these lands was sanctioned, but the approved applicants refused to accept the allotments approved for them. It is proposed to formulate an alternative scheme for the disposal of the lands.
Am I to understand that certain people in the County Laoighis have refused allotments of land?
That is exactly it.
That is something new to me, and it certainly has improved my education.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will have an inspection carried out of the lands of Mr. Duff, Kilcurley, Tubber, Moate, County Offaly, with a view to relieving local congestion and dividing them amongst the many local deserving applicants for land in the area.
These lands have been inspected and the Land Commission have decided to take no action for the resumption of the holdings.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission will carry out an immediate inspection of the lands of Mrs. Margaret Maher, at Boleybeg, Spink, Abbeyleix, County Laoighis, comprising 133 acres, which are set by conacre on the 11 months system, with a view to their division amongst the local small holders, cottage tenants and other local deserving applicants.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will have an immediate inspection carried out with a view to the acquisition and the division of the lands of Mrs. Kate Campion at Graigue, Moate, and Heywood, comprising over 200 acres convenient to Spink, Abbeyleix, County Laoighis, amongst the many local deserving applicants in these areas where great congestion exists.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission will have immediate inquiries made concerning an inspection carried out of the lands of Mr. Patrick Keating at Graigue, Spink, Abbeyleix, County Laoighis, comprising 100 acres all of which are set by conacre on the 11-months system, and on which there is no residence, and if they will arrange to have those lands divided amongst the many local deserving applicants in view of the fact that Mr. Keating is the owner of six other farms totalling 400 acres on which no man is employed, and that local people cannot exist on their small holdings.
With the permission of the Leas-Ceann Comhairle I will take together Questions Nos. 17, 18, 19.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these lands. I have no function in regard to the particular estates to be inspected with a view to acquisition.
In view of the fact that in the Spink area of Abbeyleix there are such a large number of small, uneconomic holdings and, further, as this is one of the most congested areas in Laoighis-Offaly, will the Minister ask the Land Commission to submit for his information a report concerning the congestion that prevails and also concerning the manner in which these large farms are unworked?
I will bring the Deputy's remarks to the notice of the commissioners.