asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the Franks estate, Castletown, Mountrath, Laois, and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Division.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these lands but they are having detailed inquiries made in the matter.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists as a result of the sub-division of the Browne estate, Carraghcreen, Lavally, Tuam, County Galway, and whether, in view of the fact that a number of the parcels allocated have been sub-let, the Land Commission will re-examine the scheme with a view to rectifying the grievances.
This estate, which was situated in a very congested area, contained a high proportion of poor land. As the amount of land available was not sufficient to meet the needs of all applicants, some disappointment was inevitable.
In addition to making provision for an ex-employee, the lands were used to enlarge 11 local smallholdings and to provide an exchange for another smallholder in the locality whose surrendered lands will, of course, be used for the relief of congestion. A further parcel, intended as an enlargement, was refused by the approved applicant and is still on hands.
The Land Commission are not aware that any of the allotments have been sub-let but I have asked them to investigate this aspect of the matter without delay.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the person who refused to take the parcel of land referred to in the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary is a man named Mullen who has the smallest valuation and the smallest holding in the whole estate? He was a tenant and he got the worst portion of the land along with getting a very small addition.
Might I point out to the Deputy that I know this area personally? This man was given 47½ acres of this farm which lie right beside his own holding of land. What more could be done?
Could the Parliamentary Secretary state what amount of arable land he got?
I do not know that. In my reply I said that a lot of this land is not good. The land is just as good as the Land Commission got. The Land Commission were pressed very hard at the time to take it over.
asked the Minister for Lands whether the non-residential holding of Mr. M. Reddington, Castle-farm, Dunmore, County Galway, which appears to be let in grazing, was included in the lands inspected by the Land Commission in the Lissyconnor area; whether the commission have considered the propriety of acquiring these lands for the relief of congestion in the locality, and, if so, with what result.
The Land Commission have not inspected this holding but I have now asked them to have inquiries made.
asked the Minister for Lands whether a scheme for the division of the Drumaleheen farm, Baloor, Castlebar, County Mayo, Record No. S. 9850, has been prepared by the Land Commission, and, if so, when it is proposed to put it into operation.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the Staunton estate. As possession of these lands has not been obtained, a scheme of allotment has not yet been put in hands.