asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in respect of County Mayo (a) the number of holdings in the possession of the Land Commission at the latest available date, (b) when they were acquired, (c) the area and poor law valuation thereof, and (d) when it is proposed to allot them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission Holdings in Mayo.
A comprehensive reply to this question would entail much investigation and labour and it is not feasible at present to divert staff for such a purpose. Broadly speaking, however, the position is as follows:—
In Mayo, the Land Commission have on hands, apart from about 2,800 acres of untenanted land on Congested Districts Board estates, some 120 estates or holdings comprising about 8,500 acres, the rateable valuation of which is in the region of £1,500. Though some of the properties came on hands prior to 1950 the bulk of the lands passed into the possession of the Land Commission only in recent years, being the vacated holdings of migrants who have transferred to the Midlands. It is not possible at present to indicate when the lands will be allotted but there will be no avoidable delay in their disposal.
I must emphasise, however, that about one-third of the area mentioned represents poor quality land, always difficult to dispose of, while as much as 50 per cent. comprises land surrendered by migrants for the rearrangement and enlargement of intermixed and uneconomic holdings. I have several times explained to the House the complexity of this work and the Deputy will realise that it is a lengthy and tedious process largely dependent on the co-operation of the tenants concerned. Moreover, it is a very delicate task which invariably calls for much resourcefulness, not to mention tact and endless patience, on the part of the Land Commission inspectorate, before satisfactory schemes can be put into operation. Having regard to these factors and also to the fact that it is occasionally necessary to await the acquisition of some additional "key" lands before rearrangement proposals likely to produce worthwhile results can be formulated, it is inevitable that land acquired for rearrangement purposes must often remain on the hands of the Land Commission for longer than would appear necessary to the casual observer.
The Deputy will appreciate of course that lettings of all lands on hands are made to the local tenants.