asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the high rents on land allocated to applicants in Leinster make it very difficult for allottees to accept such land; and if he will take steps, if necessary by the introduction of legislation. to make such rents parallel with Land Commission rents in the western counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rents of Allotted Lands.
94.
I am not so aware. In the financial year just ended, the total number of allotments refused because the annuity was considered too high was only about one per cent.
Would the Minister not agree that the rents are considerably higher?
Yes, the rents are higher but the Deputy asked me if the high rents on lands allocated to applicants in Leinster make it very difficult for allottees to accept such lands. I think the very low percentage of those who refused allotments disproves this point.
Would the Minister not further agree that that is one of the causes for the delay in the division of land, which has been considerably slower since this new Act came into operation than it was before? Would he not further agree that a small subsidy would rectify the situation and expedite the division of land?
I do not accept that the acquisition and division of land is slower since the 1965 Act came into operation.
If the Minister looks up the number of allottees he will accept it.
Is the Minister aware that in South Westmeath land which was let for years at £6 or £7 per Irish acre has now been allotted to tenants at from £14 to £16 per Irish acre, and that so far they have refused to take it? A similar situation has arisen beside Mullingar, where land which used to be let at £8 per Irish acre is now being allotted at from £15 to £17 per Irish acre, and the people there have refused to take it. Could the Minister not increase the number of years, substitute 100 years for 68 years, thereby reducing the rent and giving them a longer time to pay?
Irrespective of what may have happened in Westmeath, the total number who refused allotments because of what was termed the high annuity was only 1 per cent.