asked the Minister for Lands the number of migrants, if any, the Land Commission propose to transfer from West Galway to any of the eastern counties during the coming 12 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Migrants.
15.
(Cavan): I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to Question No. 16 on 28th November.
As I stated then, migration generally from Connacht and Munster to Leinster has declined considerably in recent years. This overall trend is reflected in the figures for West Galway which were as follows:— 1968—6; 1969—4; 1970—1; 1971—3 and 1972—2.
While it is not possible at this stage to say what migrants will be moved from West Galway during the coming 12 months it may be taken that the number, if any, will be very small.
The number, the Minister states, would be very small. Is this outlook the result of the very unusual intake of land by the Land Commission so far in this financial year?
(Cavan): The intake of land has nothing to do with this factor. The amount of land being processed at the moment is considerably higher than the amount processed last year. In regard to migration the position is that there is not as high a demand from Connacht and Munster for land in Leinster as there was in the past. The Deputy should know that the demand has been falling off dramatically for several years past.