asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the great problem of congestion which exists in the Pullough, Rahan area of County Offaly, in which there are very small holdings together with extensive portions of land let in conacre and otherwise; and if the Land Commission will direct their attention to the plight of these smallholders so that the lands available will be acquired and a rearrangement scheme put into operation at the earliest possible date in view of the great merit surrounding each individual claim for land in this part of County Offaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Land Congestion.
55.
The Land Commission have been endeavouring in recent years to secure an adequate pool of land to be used as a working basis for the resettlement of small and fragmented holdings in this part of County Offaly. To date six properties, comprising some 360 acres, have been acquired by way of exchange, purchase and resumption and a substantial part of this acreage will be utilised in a comprehensive scheme for rearrangement of a number of intermixed holdings. However, the acquisition of additional land is an essential pre-requisite to the work. With this end in view negotiations are in train for the purchase of two further holdings, containing 80 acres, while inquiries are being made regarding the suitability of a third property of 57 acres. Any further opportunities for obtaining land, by way of either migration or acquisition, for the area will be fully examined as they arise. I might add that this particular district of Offaly is on the fringe of the Bord na Móna bog-complex which includes the Lumcloon, Boora, Turraun and Leamonaghan works and my information is that there are good opportunities for employment in these works.