Vol. 233 No. 8
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state for County Limerick, the total acreage of lands acquired by the Land Commission in each of the last ten years; the amount allotted; and how many acres still remain in the possession of the Land Commission.
56.
asked the Minister for Lands the number of holdings acquired by the Land Commission in County Limerick during the year ended 31st December, 1967; and the number of holdings which were subdivided during the same period.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.
Land Commission statistics are compiled by reference to financial rather than to calendar years. On that basis the information requested is contained in a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:-
County Limerick
TOTAL acreage of lands acquired and allotted in each of the last ten complete financial years.
|
Year |
Acquired (acres) |
Allotted (acres) |
|
1957-58 |
735 |
948 |
|
1958-59 |
750 |
1,267 |
|
1959-60 |
695 |
652 |
|
1960-61 |
1,370 |
748 |
|
1961-62 |
835 |
804 |
|
1962-63 |
1,031 |
882 |
|
1963-64 |
647 |
262 |
|
1964-65 |
664 |
1,056 |
|
1965-66 |
697 |
759 |
|
1966-67 |
538 |
800 |
|
(consisting of 8 properties) |
(consisting of 12 properties or residues of partly allotted properties) |
NOTE: As regards the acreage remaining in the possession of the Land Commission, this is the peak of the allotment season and the position regarding lands taken over for division throughout the country generally is rapidly changing from day to day. For that reason statistics of lands on hands, if compiled as of now, would be very quickly out of date. In the circumstances, perhaps the Deputy would repeat this part of the Question in about a month's time when a more realistic assessment of the position should be feasible.
57.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he will give special consideration to a proposal that the Land Commission should carry out a comprehensive survey in County Limerick with a view to ascertaining the number of holdings in the area which are suitable for acquisition and sub-division among neighbouring smallholders, having regard to the large number of smallholdings in County Limerick; and if he will state the number of holdings not being worked in the county.
As to the first part of the question, comprehensive surveys of this nature are being confined to the pilot areas and it would not be practicable in present circumstances to extend them.
The precise information requested in the second part of the question is not available. However, it might meet the Deputy's requirements to know that in County Limerick proceedings are at present in progress for compulsory acquisition of 20 properties aggregating 1,500 acres while negotiations are in train for voluntary purchase of 11 holdings comprising 800 acres.
