asked the Minister for Lands the acreage of land held by the Land Commission at 31st December, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition.
21.
(Cavan): The total area in possession of the Land Commission at 31st December, 1974, was 117,500 acres approximately of which 100,000 acres were classified as lettable.
Could the Minister tell me if there is any chance of his stepping up his tree planting programme in view of the unemployment situation?
(Cavan): The target that has been set over the years, one year with another, is being achieved, that is the 25,000 acres.
It should be stepped up now.
(Cavan): Anyway I might point out to the Deputy that his question has nothing whatsoever to do with the question under reply, which is in connection with the acreage of land held by the Land Commission.
22.
asked the Minister for Lands the acreage of land held by the Land Commission in County Cork at 31st December, 1974.
(Cavan): The total area in possession of the Land Commission in County Cork at 31st December, 1974, was 4,750 acres, approximately, of which about 4,640 acres were classified as lettable.
Would the Minister try to get these lands off his hands quickly because 117,500 acres is a sizeable share of land and it has been accumulating over a number of years? Would the Minister try to get this into production?
(Cavan): I do not wish to be controversial but I can tell the Deputy that when I came into the Department I found there were 20 vacancies in the inspectorate outdoor staff. I immediately got authority to fill those vacancies. I have been recruiting people and I am satisfied that the additional inspectorate staff will speed up the allocation of lands.
Can the Minister say how many of the 20 vacancies he has mentioned have been filled?
These are separate questions.
(Cavan): The question is a separate one but, speaking from memory and without committing myself, I think that about 16 have been filled.
We have had 16 years' neglect to make up.
It may be that the figure is only half of what the Minister supposes it to be.
(Cavan): The situation is a lot better now than when I took over.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please. Question No. 23.