asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the area of land during the last year (a) which was reported to the Land Commission, (b) on which preliminary reports were issued, (c) concerning which suitability and price reports were obtained and (d) which was the subject of court proceedings; and if he will state the total area acquired and resumed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Resumption
Following are replies to the various parts of the question:—
(a) For lands reported to the Land Commission, areas are not readily available and statistics have not been kept under this classification.
(b) and (c) The system of preliminary reports and suitability and price reports was superseded last September by a new system of unified purchase/acquisition report. Provisional figures for year ended 31st March, 1958, are as follows: 27,443 acres were the subject of preliminary reports, 9,899 acres were the subject of suitability and price reports and 28,264 acres were the subject of purchase/acquisition reports.
(d) 4,391 acres were the subject of court proceedings before the Lay Commissioners and 19,437 acres were acquired or resumed.
Has the Minister figures to show when the proceedings were started for the acreage acquired and resumed? Do they go back farther than the last financial year?
The method of assessing the work being done changed in September. If I can give the Deputy any more detailed figures, I shall be glad to give them to him.
Do I understand from the Minister that the old system of preliminary reports, followed by suitability and price reports, has been changed?
That has been changed.
Will the Minister say what has taken its place?
It will take some time. If the Deputy asks a question about it, I shall give him detailed information.