asked the Minister for Lands when it is proposed to divide the Glynn Farm at Srah, Peterswell, County Galway, amongst the small-holders in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Galway Lands.
44.
Proceedings for acquisition of this estate have reached the price fixation stage. However until this aspect of the matter has been disposed of, it is not possible to indicate if or when the property will be acquired.
45.
asked the Minister for Lands what lands are at present in the possession of the Land Commission in the constituency of South Galway and the acreage in each case; when it is expected that they will be divided; and what lands have been divided since 1st January, 1960 and the acreage of any estate remaining undivided.
46.
asked the Minister for Lands what lands are at present in the Land Commission's possession in the constituency of North Galway and the acreage in each case; when it is expected that they will be divided; and what lands have been divided since 1st January, 1960, and the acreage of any estate remaining to be divided.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
Land Commission records are not kept by reference to constituency areas. Apart from that, however, in the case of County Galway, Land Commission activities are heavily concentrated and involve numerous estates and holdings. Many of these properties are of very small acreage and include remnants of Congested Districts Board estates, lands surrendered by migrants and small residues of allotted estates.
The Deputies will appreciate that the extraction of the precise details requested would entail a disproportionate expenditure of staff time and labour which would not be warranted. Moreover, as the position regarding lands on hands of the Land Commission is subject to constant fluctuation— depending on progress in intake and allotment—the extensive detailed information sought—even if staff were to be specially diverted to extract it— could well be out of date within a very short time.
In the circumstances, perhaps it would meet the Deputies' requirements to know that, in the entire of County Galway, the Land Commission have at present on hands, apart from substantial areas of mountain, turbary, etc., an aggregate area of some 3,800 acres of arable lands which is being utilised as a working pool for land settlement in the county.
Every effort is being made to dispose of these lands with minimum delay. In County Galway, during the last three complete financial years, the total area distributed by the Land Commission was 27,000 acres amongst 1,200 allottees. The corresponding figures for the period since 1st January, 1960, are 6,660 acres divided amongst 424 allottees.
If either Deputy is concerned about a particular estate and furnishes details thereof, I shall have the matter examined.