asked the Minister for Lands what progress has been made with the experiment in combined or group farming by the Land Commission referred to in Chapter 5, Par. 113 of the Third Programme: Economic and Social Development.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Group Farming.
100.
As a first experiment to test the worth of a system of combined or group farming, the Land Commission are making arrangements for the establishment of a group of four families on an estate in County Meath. It is intended that the four will pool their land as well as their livestock, machinery, etc. Four dwelling-houses are being erected, the work is nearing completion, and a block of out-offices to serve all four will be erected during the next six months. It is hoped to have all arrangements completed in time to allow the four families to move into the estate possibly next spring which is the time of year commonly favoured by migrants for transfer.
The estate selected for the experiment is at Grennanstown, near Athboy.
The total area to be given to the group of four is 236 acres — equivalent to about 180 acres of good land. It is intended that the four will form a company: that the land will be held by the company. The detailed conditions have still to be worked out.
Could the Minister say how the migrants will be chosen?
The Land Commission inspectors have some time ago interviewed prospective migrants, people they felt would be suitable and would co-operate in this particular project.