asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number of acres of land which (a) are held by the Irish Land Commission for subdivision, and (b) have not yet been finally accepted by selected persons; further, how many estates are involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Division.
Excluding inferior remnants of divided estates, the Land Commission on 31st March, 1955, had on hands for division approximately 26,000 acres on 617 estates and holdings taken over under the Land Acts, 1923-54.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the number of acres of land in the possession of the Irish Land Commission in respect of which the previous owners have not yet been paid, and the estimated total amount due to be paid, (b) what is the acreage of land now in the possession of the Irish Land Commission in respect of which a price has not yet been determined, and (c) the longest period involved under each heading.
The total amount of purchase moneys placed to credit of estates and not yet allocated is approximately £833,000 (including tenants' compensation in the case of resumed holdings). About three-quarters of this sum relates to lands acquired or resumed since 1st January, 1953.
When the purchase money of an estate is placed to credit, the responsibility lies on the owner or his solicitor of proving title to the lands so that allocation can take place and if this is attended to promptly the Land Commission make every effort to have the purchase money distributed without delay. Some owners, unfortunately, neglect this matter entirely so that there are cases in which purchase moneys have been lying unallocated for over 25 years. Of course, interest on the purchase price is payable as from the date on which the Land Commission take possession.
The area to which the total of unallocated purchase moneys relates is estimated at 60,000 acres.
The Land Commission are not in possession of any lands for which a price has not been determined.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number of acres of land in the possession of the Irish Land Commission for a period exceeding 12 months, and the total income from such land let for (a) wheat growing, (b) general tillage, (c) grazing, and (d) meadowing; and what was the average letting price under each heading.
Excluding remnants, the area of land taken over under current Land Acts and held by the Land Commission for a period in excess of 12 months is approximately 18,000 acres.
Returns of temporary lettings during the current year have not yet been completed. If the Deputy repeats the second part of the question after the end of this year I shall endeavour to give him particulars.
asked the Minister for Lands what is the cause of the delay in sub-dividing the Kirwin estate, Gardenfield, Tuam, County Galway.
There has been no avoidable delay in dealing with this estate but some essential preparatory work on the lands had to be attended to before any scheme for allotment could be drawn up.
asked the Minister for Lands when the Land Commission propose to sub-divide the Mylotte estate, Ardour, Kilconley, Tuam, County Galway.
The preparation of a satisfactory scheme for the allotment of the Mylotte estate will depend upon the outcome of proceedings for the acquisition of other lands in the same locality and until such proceedings are completed the Mylotte estate will not be allotted.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have yet prepared a scheme for the sub-division of the O'Dea and Lynskey estates, Kilbannon and Kilconley, Tuam, County Galway; further, what is the cause of the delay in allocating these lands.
A great part of these lands will probably be used in the rearrangement of intermixed holdings and it is very likely that the tenants will be offered a rearrangement scheme early in the new year. Success will depend on their co-operation.
In the desire to do full justice to all concerned, it is not possible to prepare a rearrangement scheme without careful planning and negotiation and Land Commission inspectors have instructions to go very carefully into every application and this necessarily takes time.