Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1974

Vol. 274 No. 12

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois-Offaly Estates.

15.

Mr. Lalor

asked the Minister for Lands when the Land Commission will dispose of a small portion of land on the Dempsey estate at Ballyadams which is required by Laois County Council as a site for much needed county council houses.

Minister for Lands (Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick,

Cavan): Possession of the property referred to passed to the Land Commission as recently as February last and consequently the formulation of proposals for the allotment of the lands has not yet been put in hands.

The county council's application is on record, however, and will receive sympathetic consideration in connection with the division of the lands.

16.

Mr. Lalor

asked the Minister for Lands the estates held by the Land Commission in Laois and Offaly that are likely to be re-allocated in the spring of 1975.

Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan): The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:—

Particulars of Estates in the possession of the Land Commission for division by Spring, 1975.

County Laois

Estate	Record No.	Townland	Area (Acres)	Approximate Location
Dunne	S25510	Garrafin	28	6 miles West of Mountrath
Pratt	S23586	Derrycarrow	74	do.
Greene	S26033	Court	11	4 miles N.E. of Rathdowney
Wolfhill Farms Ltd.	S23064	Kill	95	10 miles South of Abbeyleix
*Kavanagh & Ors.	M10225	Garryduff	23	3-5 miles N.E. of Rathdowney
Lalor	S23044	Aghnahily	132	3½ miles East of Portlaiose
Claxton	S23043	Dysart	170	do.
Delaney	M10536	Ballymaddock, etc.	34	In Stradbally area
*Conroy	S22800	Oldtown	6	4 miles West of Portlaoise
Duffy	S26957	Craiguervallagh	220	3 miles West of Rathdowney
County Offaly
*Willington	S9951	Snugborough	5½	8 miles South of Birr
Molloy & Ors.	M8808	Derrycooly	74	Near Rahan village
Ruttledge	S26689	Ballyegan	337	2 miles South of Birr
Howard	S9039	Bellmount	149	3 miles West of Ferbane
Gunning	S27549	Clonbonniff	62	3 miles West of Ferbane
Finlay	S23857	Clonsast	101	5 miles North of Portarlington
*Serviss	S23767	Cappydonnell Little	27	Adjoining Horsleap Village
Carroll	S24310	Attinkee	8	2 miles N.E. of Banagher
Reid	U.C.5027	Comanona	54	2½ miles East of Banagher
Corcoran	S25844	Lea More	80	7 miles East of Cloghan
Martyn	S25648	Killeigh	24	5 miles East of Tullamore
Dunne	S24305	Cranasalagh	82	3 miles West of Clara
Lynam	U.C.1784	Tinamuck	91	3½ miles South of Moate
Delahunty	S24946	Ballygaddy	81	4 miles South of Birr
Gowing	S24635	Streamstown	200	4 miles East of Birr

*Already partly allotted.

NOTE: The above-mentioned Estates are included in the current year's allotment programme and every effort will be made to dispose of the lands by the Spring of 1975. At this stage, however, it is not possible to say with certainty whether all the lands listed will be allocated by that date.

17.

Mr. Lalor

asked the Minister for Lands when the Lalor estate, County Laois, will be re-allocated by the Land Commission; and if he will confirm that it will be allocated among small uneconomic holders within policy distance.

Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan): Resale proposals are at present being formulated for the lands referred to and other adjacent lands in the possession of the Land Commission, aggregating 300 acres. It is hoped to include the entire area in the current year's allotment programme.

The Deputy will appreciate that the selection of allottees is a matter that is exclusively reserved to the Land Commissioners. I am confident that the claims of all applicants will be thoroughly assessed before the lands are allocated.

Mr. Lalor

Can the Minister say whether the Land Commission intend bringing in migrants or whether they are likely to divide the estate among local congests?

Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan): I have not that information with me but, as I have stated, the allocation of the land is a matter entirely for the Land Commission.

18.

Mr. Lalor

asked the Minister for Lands when the Land Commission will finalise the purchase of the De Jenner estate, County Laois.

Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan): Proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of the property referred to have reached the stage where the question of price was very recently determined by the appeal tribunal. It is not possible, however, to indicate when the proceedings can be concluded.

Mr. Lalor

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable anxiety in the Rosenallis area of Laois in regard to this estate? I understand that the fixing of a price took place as recently as Monday last but I would ask the Minister to convey to the commissioners, who will be making up their minds as to whether to purchase this estate, the general feeling among the local people that the lands should be acquired by the Land Commission for redistribution, despite the fact that unfortunately the price has been fixed at twice that at which the estate was purchased two years ago?

Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan): As the Deputy seems to be aware, the price was fixed by the appeal tribunal as recently as the 22nd of this month. I shall have the Deputy's remarks conveyed to the commissioners.