asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number of farmers paying land annuities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repayment of Land Annuities.
The collection records of the Land Commission are kept on the basis of receivable order accounts, the number of which for the latest completed gale period, viz. 1st November/1st December, 1957, was approximately 528,000. This number, however, includes, as separate items, component accounts for consolidated and multiple holdings and also many thousands of accounts relating to accommodation plots, turbary and other plots. Without an individual examination of more than 500,000 accounts—a formidable task which in present circumstances I do not feel justified in asking the Land Commission to undertake—it is not possible to state the exact number of farmers, as such, paying land annuities.
Do I understand that that includes quit rents and tithe rents?
It includes all the sums for which receivable orders are provided.