asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the date on which possenssion of the O'Connor estate, Mullacash, was taken by the Land Commission, (b) whether all or portion, and, if so, what portion, of the lands have since been let, and for what periods, (c) the total receipts so obtained, (d) the total outgoings to date, including interest for servicing the land bonds representing the purchase price, and (e) what sum has been spent on improvements to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - O'Connor Estate, Mullacash (Kildare).
The Land Commission obtained possession of this estate comprising 264 acres, on 19th April, 1955. Since then, the entire estate, with the exception of 20 acres of waste land, has been let each year. Total receipts to date from lettings are £3,973, while outgoings, including interest on the purchase money of the estate, amount to £3,891. A sum of £520 has already been spent on improvements works.
Is the Minister aware that on the date the Land Commission took over possession of this land, it was a well worked farm and that, since then, in the past two years, the land has been wrecked and now will require rehabilitation before it can be allotted to anyone?
I am not so aware. It is Land Commission practice to maintain such lands in reasonable order.
The Minister can take it that this land is not. Will he look into it personally, if he is a judge of how land should be worked?
asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have prepared a scheme for the division of the lands of the O'Connor estate, Mullacash, County Kildare, and, if so, when it will be put into operation.
As a scheme for the division of this estate has not yet been finally settled, it is not possible to indicate when allotment will take place.