The Estimates for the financial year 1929-30 show a net decrease of £204,211. Compared with the Estimate for the year 1928-29, that is a very substantial reduction, and I am sure it will meet with the approval of those Deputies who are so anxious for economies in the administration of Government Departments. The decrease is effected under the following sub-heads. Under sub-head A—salaries, wages and allowances, there is a decrease of £12,364. Under sub-head B—travelling expenses, there is a decrease of £2,000. Under sub-head E—solicitor's branch, salaries and allowances, there is a decrease of £268. Under sub-head I—improvement of estates, &c., there is a decrease of £161,550, and under sub-head J—advance to meet deficiency of income from untenanted land purchased under the Land Act of 1923, there is a decrease of £12,000, while under sub-head M—deficiencies on realisation by Government departments of Land Bonds—the decrease is £2,000. Perhaps, for the sake of clearness, it would be better if I were to take the sub-heads separately and explain the nature of the economies effected in the case of each.
Before I proceed to explain the economies effected under sub-head A, it would be well, perhaps, if I were to point out that there are two printer's errors in regard to details under this sub-head. One occurs on page 225, relating to the examiners of title, in respect of which item the italicised figure, £850, in the monetary column for 1929-30 should not appear. It should be substituted by a dash. As the amount has not been included in the total it does not call for any further adjustment. The second printer's error occurs on page 226 in respect of the item temporary inspectors; in the "numbers" column for 1928-29. Instead of 9 the figure should be 29, the figure "2" having been dropped in the final printing. No adjustment, however, is called for, as the correct figure 29 was taken in calculating the total numbers and cost for 1928-29.
The reduction of the Estimate under this head is due mainly to a decrease of 24 in the total staff, a reduction from 704 to 680, for which provision is made, and the substitution of higher paid officers on retirement and death by those of lower scales. A decrease in the staff personnel has been effected by the non-filling of vacancies where such a course could be adopted without serious detriment to the interests of the service, and by discharge on the same conditions of temporary officers. When the Land Commission started the administration of the Land Act of 1923 it was necessary to employ temporary inspectors for the purpose of inspecting and estimating the value of land and advising the Commissioners in regard to various affairs in respect of which local inquiries were essential. A number of temporary inspectors were recruited in 1924-25, subject to discharge on a month's notice, and 32 of those were provided for in the Estimate for 1925-26. The number has been gradually decreased, and for the financial year under review it is estimated that 15 temporary inspectors with the 4 permanent officers of the Land Commission described in footnote (k) will suffice for the purpose of supplementing the permanent force of inspectors, who number 56, in the task of performing the necessary inspectorial work of the Commission. As a result of a very complete reorganisation of the work, it is hoped that no appreciable diminution in the progress of operations will result from the decrease in the number of temporary officers for which provision has been made this year. This decrease will also help to level up the relationship between the state of the outdoor work and that of headquarters.
Under sub-head B—travelling expenses—there is a reduction of £2,000. The reduction under this subhead is due almost exclusively to a decrease in the personnel of the inspecting staff. Under sub-head E —solicitor's branch, salaries and allowances—there is a decrease of £268. This decrease is due to the decrease in the salary of the present holder of the post of solicitor as compared with that of his predecessor, who died in the last financial year. Under sub-head I—improvements of estates—Deputies will observe there is a very large reduction in comparison with last year's Estimate—a reduction approximately of £160,000. Perhaps I had better first of all explain how this money is spent. This sub-head provides for expenditure on the improvement of estates, the division of untenanted land into new holdings, or the enlargement of existing holdings and their equipment, with fences, drains and roads, and, where necessary, with buildings, and the division and draining of turbary, etc., and also the employer's contribution towards health and unemployment insurance of employees on improvement works. The amount for these purposes is £150,000. Provision is also made for the acquisition of tenants' interests, for the assistance of migration, payments under the Workmen's Compensation Act, livestock insurance and the upkeep of nurses' cottages.
The Congested Districts Board purchased for the accommodation of the Lady Dudley nurses certain cottages on lands now the property of the Land Commission. There are 16 cottages. Of these seven are in County Mayo, three in County Donegal; three in County Galway, two in County Kerry and one in Roscommon. The Board let these cottages at certain rents and took responsibility for their upkeep and maintenance. That responsibility has been transferred to the Land Commission. In the Estimate for 1928-29 a sum of £12,520 was included for the repayment of loans obtained by the Congested Districts Board from the Board of Works. These loans have now been redeemed, and consequently no amount in respect of them has been included in the Estimate for this year. Last year, although the amount of £323,200 was estimated for for carrying out improvement works on estates acquired under the 1923 Act the sum of £226,000 was actually spent. The amount required was over-estimated.
I want to explain, in passing, that it is very difficult to estimate accurately at the beginning of the financial year what amount would be required for the purpose of improving estates within a particular year. A good deal depends on the rate at which untenanted land is acquired. Very frequently difficulties arise that are not at all anticipated by the inspector when preparing his estimate. Objections may be raised that could not have been anticipated by the inspector. Innumerable difficulties of that kind arise in the course of a year, so that hitherto it was almost impossible to estimate accurately what amount would be required for carrying out improvement works in the year. As a matter of fact, the Estimate has exceeded the actual expenditure for most years, with the exception of 1927-28. This year we have effected a considerable reduction in the amount estimated for improvement works. That reduction has been brought about, first of all, for reasons of economy, and, secondly, because it is intended that during the coming year there will be greater concentration on the work of vesting tenanted land, and less concentration on the work of acquiring and distributing untenanted land. Also it is proposed during the coming year to abolish almost completely the temporary convenience agreements which were resorted to in the year 1925 as an emergency measure. These agreements, while undoubtedly they have enabled us to divide land much more rapidly than we could otherwise have done, have had the effect of really magnifying another problem, the problem of vesting, which we heard so much about recently.
We also experience considerable difficulty in getting allottees, put in under these temporary convenience agreements, to sign the permanent agreements when they are subsequently presented to them. It is really necessary to substitute permanent agreements for temporary convenience agreements in order that the allottees may be enabled to borrow money for the purpose of developing their holdings —to borrow money, for instance, from the Agricultural Credit Corporation or the ordinary joint stock banks. A very close estimate has been made this year, consonant with the available staff and the existing conditions, but it is hoped by very careful supervision to make the reduced amount cover all the necessary improvements on the allotments of untenanted land during the year.
The next decrease is under sub-head J—Advance to meet deficiency of income from untenanted land purchased under the 1923 Land Act. The amount is £12,000. Provision is made under this sub-head to meet the deficiency of income from untenanted lands purchased under the Act of 1923 in respect of payment to the Land Bond Fund of interest at 4¾ per cent. on bonds issued for the purchase of the lands pending their division and vesting in tenant purchasers, and of payment of rates, herds' wages and other outgoings chargeable against the lands purchased. Owing to the improvement in the income derived from untenanted land the Estimate has been reduced to £13,000, being a decrease of £12,000 as compared with the Estimate for 1928-29. The deficiency in income from untenanted land acquired under the Land Acts of 1923 and 1927 arose largely through arrears that allottees did not pay punctually. The half-yearly instalment of interest was due on their parcels on the 1st May and the 1st November. The deficiency has to be made good by the Land Commission in order to pay the 4¾ per cent. on the Land Bonds issued for the purchase of the lands. The second reason is the two months' interest in advance. The payment to the Land Bond Fund on bonds issued for the purchase of estates must provide interest calculated up to the dividend days, 1st January and 1st July, while the payments due by the tenants provide interest up to the gale days, 1st of May and 1st November only. There is thus a gap of two months' interest to be bridged, and the Land Commission has to provide the money. Under Section 28 of the 1923 Land Act, each tenant purchaser of a tenanted holding subject to the standard purchase annuity is obliged to pay the two months' interest in advance with his first annuity payment. In the case of untenanted land the two months' interest would be recouped to the Land Commission when the lands become vested in the allottees. In every case, of course, this money is recouped eventually to the Land Commission.
As regards rates, herds' wages and other outgoings, during the time between the purchase of the untenanted land and the subsequent division between allottees, the Land Commission is responsible for the rates, herds' wages and other outgoings, in addition to the interest on the purchase money. It is not always possible to put allottees in possession or to let the land simultaneously with the taking over by the Land Commission. Other circumstances also arise to necessitate the retention of lands. The loss, as a matter of fact, is very small. Steps are taken to put the allottees into possession immediately the Land Commission take over the land.
Sub-head M—Deficiencies on Realisation by Government Departments of Land Bonds—shows a decrease of £2,000. Provision is made in this Estimate to meet deficiencies caused by the redemption of Government charges and by the transfer of Land Bonds at face value. In the case of the redemption of Board of Works Loans the bonds received by the Board of Works have only their market value and the arrangement is made to provide for the difference between the face value and the amount realised by the bonds. Now, increases have taken place under the following subheads:—C—Incidental Expenses— £240. The increase of £240 is due to increased activities resulting in additional advertising, lock-spitting, and so on. Deputies will understand that a close estimate under this sub-head is absolutely impossible. The amount, however, is small. The increase under sub-head D—Office of Public Trustee—is £41. That is due to increments to the staff and to the provision of £15 for incidentals. The increase is very small.
Under sub-head F—Solicitor's branch, incidental expenses—the increase is £1,400. That is due to the anticipation of increased activities in respect of the sale of defaulters' holdings which will result in additional advertising, legal expenses and out-of-pocket expenses. The sub-head generally includes the costs of the Land Commission solicitor in proceedings taken by him in the Circuit and District Courts of Dublin, and also costs for proceedings for resumption of holdings and appeals against prices fixed by the Land Commission. Sub-head H—payment under Section 11 (7) of the Land Act, 1923—shows an increase of £7,500. This sub-head provides, first of all, for the payment of interest at 4½ per cent. and sinking fund at ¼ per cent. on Land Bonds issued in respect of the contributions by the State to the standard price in sales under the Act of 1923, calculated at 10 per cent. and added to the standard price on which the purchasing tenants' annuity is calculated; secondly, for the purposes of the Costs Fund, Section 5 (1); and thirdly, for the State contribution of one-eleventh to the price determined under Section 52 of the 1923 Act in National Land Bank sales.
Sub-head K indicates an increase of £8,000. The sub-head deals with payments under Sections 42 and 46 of the Land Act, 1927. The money under this sub-head is required in connection with the re-sale of land in Committee cases and in connection with Land Bank estates. There is really very little to say in connection with this matter. I think Deputies understand the reasons for the increase in these particular cases. These cases have caused us a good deal of trouble during last year, and they have also occupied the time of a number of inspectors. The inquiries that have to be made in connection with these cases are very exhaustive, and sometimes it is exceedingly difficult to get the information we re-require. Most of the Land Bank cases —practically all—have been disposed of. We are just now beginning to deal with the Committee cases, and I anticipate by the end of the year that practically all of the cases will have been disposed of. As regards sub-head G—contribution towards charge for excess stock—that is a standard charge, and it remains the same year after year.
Deputies will note that there is an increase of £31,210 in the Appropriations-in-Aid, due to the addition of excess annuities of an amount of £30,000 hitherto paid into the Purchase Annuities Fund. I do not think there is any other matter under that sub-head that requires explanation.
