asked the Minister for Lands if he will investigate why certain smallholders did not get a portion of an estate which was recently divided in County Cork (particulars supplied).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Lands.
30.
The selection of allottees is a matter exclusively reserved to the Commissioners. I have ascertained from the Land Commission that applications from the persons referred to in the question were fully considered in competition with other applications received but that, having regard to the limited acreage available for disposal —77 acres of which only about a half could be classed as arable—and other considerations, it was not found possible to provide them with allotments. As indicated in my reply to the Deputy's previous question on 19th of this month, the entire estate, with the exception of a one acre plot and dwellinghouse, was allotted recently to local smallholders. Of the six persons who benefited on division of the lands, five had holdings which were below the average size farming unit for the district; the sixth smallholder received only an amenity plot of 1½ acres. All six are solely dependent on farming for a livelihood.
In the circumstances I am satisfied that the lands were allocated in as equitable a manner as prevailing conditions permitted.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary state how the Minister's brother got the land? Was he a member of a cumann?
I can state in relation to that that the Minister's brother gave up a very much larger holding in a congested area in the county in which he lived for the very much smaller holding which he got.
That is very doubtful.
Was the Minister aware that it was at the instigation of the Fine Gael Deputy for the area that the farm was taken over?
That is correct.
31.
asked the Minister for Lands the number of applicants for resettlement on Land Commission farms in County Cork who have received land of over 100 acres each during the last ten years.
Under current policy the Land Commission aim where practicable at the achievement of a family farm unit of 40 to 45 acres of good land or the equivalent in land of mixed quality in the land settlement programme. Holdings of 100 acres or more are created only in exceptional circumstances—as in the case of over-standard migrants who surrender very substantial blocs of land in exchange; in fact only two such holdings have been allotted to migrants in County Cork during the past ten complete financial years.
32.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission have taken any steps to acquire an estate (name supplied) as its division would be greatly to the advantage of local smallholders.
There are no proceedings for the acquisition of this 30 acre property but certain inquiries are being arranged at present. Until these are completed, it is not possible to indicate what action may follow in regard to the lands.
33.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission have taken steps to acquire an estate (name supplied) at Meens Kiskeam, Mallow, County Cork, as this holding has been on the public market for a considerable time.
The Land Commission have been endeavouring to purchase this 66 acre property on a voluntary basis but so far their maximum offer has proved unacceptable to the owner.