asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the acute congestion existing among smallholders in the Ballypatrick-Kilcash area, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and what steps he is taking to acquire additional land which is available in this area for the purpose of providing economic holdings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmel Land Acquisition.
50.
The Land Commission have been endeavouring to relieve congestion in this district generally to the utmost extent practicable. In the past five years they have divided or rearranged about 1,000 acres— expenditure on estate improvement works amounting to £8,600. Upwards of twenty vacant or let holdings are on record for inquiry and a number of these, comprising over 800 acres, are currently being investigated by the Land Commission with a view to considering their acquisition or purchase.
I might add that for South Tipperary generally proceedings are at present in progress for the compulsory acquisition or voluntary purchase of over 1,700 acres. In addition, applications or inquiries have been received from 16 persons interested in the life annuities scheme under the Land Act, 1965, and these are being processed as quickly as possible.