asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the present position regarding the redistribution of land acquired by the Land Commission in Gloun, Schull and Kealkil, Bantry, indicating in the case of each centre the area acquired and the total cost of the scheme under all headings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Distribution of Land in West Cork.
I presume the Deputy is referring to rearrangement work carried out by the Land Commission.
In the townland of Glan, an area of 166 acres, including undivided shares, surrendered to the Land Commission by migrants, has been utilised to rearrange or enlarge 14 holdings, and a sum of about £3,600 is being expended on improvements works in connection with the scheme.
In the townlands of Kealkil and Maughanaclea, an area of 234 acres, including undivided shares, purchased by the Land Commission, was absorbed in the recent rearrangement or enlargement of five holdings and an area of 40 acres, still on hands, will provide enlargements for four further holdings. The amount being expended on improvements works is about £2,300.
Would the Minister indicate the administrative expenses?
I am afraid the Deputy will have to ask another question with regard to that.
I have asked that question here: "indicating in the case of each centre the area acquired and the total cost of the scheme under all headings."
Amounts sanctioned under the Budget Estimate for Improvements total £3,605—£1,995 Free Grant for General Improvements, £190 Advance and £1,420 Free Grant for Buildings.
I want to know the administrative expenses of dividing this land. I understand that five inspectors of the Minister's Department and a number of other officials took part in that work. I was anxious to ascertain the cost of employing all these people.
To give that large number of overheads one would have to include the work of solicitors and various officials in planning all this, and it has not been the usual practice to publish these figures. I can assure the Deputy that that matter, along with all other matters in connection with the Land Commission, will be studied. The Deputy is aware that the overheads in connection with the making of certain types of arrangements and division would be very heavy. The Deputy will also be aware that rearrangement of a small number of holdings confers great benefit on the area, but he should also be aware that, however small the holding, the proportion of expenses attributable to the administrative cost, the difficulties of making the rearrangement, the difficulties in relation to title and in relation to the rights of legatees must add proportionately to the expenses, and that the expenses in many cases must be higher than they would be in the case of an enlargement of a large estate of 300 acres where there were no such complications.