asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have acquired the Healy lands at Russelstown, Ballyteague, County Kildare; and, if so, whether it is proposed to divide the lands and when the division is likely to take place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Land.
The Healy estate at Ballyteague North has been acquired. The greater part of the estate has been allotted for afforestation purposes and the balance, comprising 12 acres of turbary, will be allotted in due course.
In the allocation of the balance, will consideration be given to those who have been cutting turf on this estate for a number of years?
Certainly. In so far as the rules permit, I will have the Deputy's point looked into.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have acquired the Hemmingway estate at Clane, County Kildare; and, if so, whether it is intended to allot the estate to local applicants.
The Land Commission recently acquired the estate in question. A scheme of allotment has not yet been prepared.
Could we have an assurance that local uneconomic holders will get first preference in the allocation of these lands?
I cannot add anything to the answer I have given the Deputy.
The Deputy's question is a reasonable one.
Will the Minister say whether it is proposed to bring in migrants and allocate lands to them in an area where there are uneconomic holders at the moment?
If there is local congestion, the commissioners will take that into consideration in drawing up the scheme of allotment for the lands.
The Minister will, I take it, point out to the commissioners the undesirability of creating local ill-feeling by migrating into this area persons from other areas, when there is a clamant demand from local uneconomic holders for this estate?
The answer to that question is that the policy is to relieve congestion. The powers of the Land Commission are based on the relief of congestion and it is for the improvement of the condition of congested holdings that the Land Commission is working at present. I suggest that Deputies bear that in mind in connection with schemes for the allotment of land.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission has any proceedings in progress for the acquisition of the Robinson estate, Dungerrin, County Offaly.
It is not possible to identify this estate from the information supplied.
Mr. O'Higgins
Would the Minister read "Dunkerrin" for "Dungerrin" as printed?
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission has any proceedings in progress for the acquisition of the Colonel Minchin estate, Busherstown, Moneygall, Cloughjordan, County Offaly.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of this estate, but will have inquiries made.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission propose to acquire the lands of the late Mr. Daniel Kilbride, Toomaline, Doon, County Limerick, for division amongst the uneconomic holders and landless men of the district so as to relieve existing congestion.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of this estate, but inquiries are being made.