asked the Minister for Lands if he will state under what circumstances he permits arable land acquired by the Land Commission to be used for afforestation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Held by Land Commission.
Mr. O'Higgins
Arable land acquired by the Land Commission is used for afforestation only in most exceptional circumstances, for example, where it would otherwise comprise small inaccessible plots intermingled with woodland.
Mr. O'Higgins
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what steps are taken by the Land Commission for the refertilisation of land held by it and let temporarily in conacre from time to time.
Ordinarily the Land Commission arrange for this work as the need arises. In some cases assistance is given to the occupiers to have it done.
Mr. O'Higgins
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number of lettings for fishery and game purposes made by the Land Commission and the forestry branch of his Department in the past 12 months, the amount of money received from such lettings and the expenditure on restocking.
The number of lettings current during the 1952-53 season was 358 and the revenue derived therefrom was £2,719. Restocking is a matter for the lessees and particulars of their expenditure are not available.
May I ask the Minister whether the general public get any opportunity of taking advantage of these lettings? Is publicity given to the fact that the letting of shooting rights and so forth is being made available by the Land Commission?
Yes, there is publicity. There is a booklet giving particulars which may be obtained on application to the Land Commission by persons who wish to tender for the lettings.
But there is no publication in the daily or provincial newspapers for the benefit of those people who are not in a position to get these booklets, or of knowing anything about them.
If they write to the Land Commission they will get the booklet. People interested could get someone to call for it.
Would the Minister not consider it advisable, in the interests of those people who are anxious to protect the game and to improve the supply of game, of giving them an opportunity of tendering for the letting of game rights, and that he might do so by having notice published in the daily papers?
If any person is interested I am giving sufficient publicity now to the matter. He need only write to the Land Commission for the booklet.
Mr. O'Higgins
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the total acreage of unallotted land at present held by the Land Commission and the number of temporary lettings for conacre or other purposes made of such land in the past 12 months and the number of acres involved.
Apart from areas of bog, mountain and waste land, the Land Commission have on hands some 19,000 acres of agricultural land on estates acquired under the Land Acts, 1923-50.
Returns of temporary lettings during the past year have not yet been completed. If the Deputy repeats the second part of the question after the end of the year, I shall endeavour to give him the particulars.