asked the Minister for Lands if he will indicate the number of acres of land in the possession of the Land Commission and not allotted, which have now been let by them for (a) grazing purposes and (b) conacre tillage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Letting of Lands.
Apart from areas of bog, mountain and waste, the Land Commission have on hands some 25,000 acres of land which was taken over under the Land Acts, 1923-1950. Less than half of this area is arable. Early this year I arranged with the Land Commission that they would let in conacre tillage as much as possible of the arable lands in their possession which could not be allotted last spring. These lettings were made by local auctioneers, stock managers and inspectors. The returns of all the lettings are not yet to hand but it is estimated that the area let in tillage is in the region of 2,000 to 3,000 acres. The balance of the lands have been let in grazing.
In considering the area let in tillage, it must be borne in mind that the arable lands on hands include second crop meadows, impoverished lands in need of rehabilitation, land inadequately fenced for tillage, etc. In addition, the Land Commission had to have regard to the fact that much of the area on hands would be allotted later in the year in new holdings and that it would not be feasible to till an undue proportion of the lands comprising these holdings.
Can the Minister give me the approximate number of acres of land which at the moment are being let for grazing purposes by the Land Commission?
No. The Deputy would need to put down a question.
I did. I have asked the Minister to tell me how many acres in the possession of the Land Commission have been let by them for grazing purposes.
The returns of all lettings are not yet to hand.
Could the Minister give me an approximate figure?
No, I am afraid not.