asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the food production drive and the necessity for food production, he will insist on the lands let by the Land Commission being used for tillage and the growing of wheat, and thus set an example to the agricultural community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Land Commission Lands.
asked the Minister for Lands whether, having regard to the urgent need for increased tillage in the country, he will arrange that the Land Commission immediately cease their practice of letting for grazing purposes lands which have been acquired by them for eventual distribution, and substitute conacre lettings instead.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I will take together Questions Nos. 36 and 37.
I have arranged with the Land Commission that they will let in conacre tillage for the coming season as much as possible of the lands in their possession which cannot be allotted this spring.
Could the Minister say that the lands let for a number of years and partly worn out will not be some of the lands relet this year, that the users will get an opportunity to deal with better lands?
A general instruction has been given in this matter. The circumstances in each particular case have to be considered by the inspector. There is not the same difficulty with regard to lettings where holdings are being enlarged, as in the case of migrants' holdings.
Will the Minister see that those lettings are small parcels, that when the Land Commission let an estate for grazing or for tillage they will not make lettings of 100 or 150 acres, but will provide parcels of five to ten acres so as to give an opportunity to local people to bid for them?
Within reason, but again the local circumstances and the particular case will have to be considered.
Would the Minister say whether any general instructions have been issued to the Land Commission as to what is to be done with regard to lands in their possession that are said to be worn out?
The best thing would be that the Deputy should put down a question. At the moment, we are concerning ourselves with lands that are capable of being tilled during the present season.
In view of the fact that the Minister has been warned by persons interested in the present question that there are lands which may be given out by the Land Commission, but which are said to be worn as a result of use, could the Minister say whether any instructions have been given as to what is to be done for the rehabilitation of these lands?
That is a separate question. With regard to lettings, I should think that the laws of supply and demand would determine the issue.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will indicate the holdings the Land Commission have taken over in North Tipperary and also the acreage let for grazing on these holdings.
There are difficulties and objections in the way of supplying the particulars sought in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, lettings for the current season are only in the course of being made, so the information sought is not available.
If the Minister finds it difficult to give the names of the estates, could he give the amount of land being held by the Land Commission in North Tipperary?
There are roughly about 2,000 acres, of which about 250 acres would be regarded as agricultural land.
Can the Minister say with regard to the remaining 1,750 acres, what kind of land that is?
There are 1,250 acres of bog, 273 acres of mountain and 180 acres of waste.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the total acreage of land (a) in the hands of the Land Commission, and (b) let for (i) tillage, and (ii) grazing by them this year.
The Land Commission have on hands approximately 25,000 acres of agricultural land. Much of this area is suitable for grazing only. It is not possible to give the information sought in part (b) of the question, as lettings for the coming season are only in the course of being made.
Would the Minister bear in mind that, when a food production drive is being carried out, the farmers and the agricultural community naturally look to the land held by the State, whether by the Land Commission or otherwise, for a lead and an example in that respect?