asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state the position of the following estates in Co. Meath.—The Killeen (Fingall Estate), Gormanston Estate, near Nobber, and the Ballinvalley Estate, near Oldcastle.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Co. Meath Estates.
The Land Commission have acquired the lands of Clowanstown, Killeen and Berrillstown on the estate of Earl of Fingall and have allotted 32 acres thereof to two tenants under purchase agreements, the remainder containing 707 acres being let on grazing agreements pending the settlement of a scheme for the division of the lands.
The lands on the Gormanston estate referred to appear to be the lands of Whitewood containing 292 acres situate near Nobber. The offer of the Land Commission to purchase these lands has been accepted by the representatives of Viscount Gormanston. A scheme for their division is in course of preparation.
The Ballinvalley estate referred to appears to comprise the holding of Thomas Deane McKeever containing 547 acres of the townland of Ballinvalley on the estate of Colonel Richard I. Woods, Record No. S2049, which is the subject of purchase proceedings under the Land Act, 1923. The holding of Mr. McKeever will be retained by the Land Commission on the Appointed Day, which it is anticipated will be fixed at an early date, with a view to resumption of all the lands save some 17 acres in the occupation of sub-tenants.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state how many acres of the Singleton estate, near Drumcondrath, are still for division; how many already divided; how many uneconomic holders of the area got portion of this; what number of migrants were supplied; and will he further state if it is his intention to consider the claims of the uneconomic holders of this area when further division takes place.
The Land Commission have acquired an area of 1,478 acres on the Singleton estate at Drumcondrath, and of this area 831 acres have been allotted under agreements for letting for temporary convenience and 335 acres are on grazing lettings. The remainder, containing about 312 acres, comprise reserved turbary, on which turbary lettings for the season are being made as heretofore, pending the preparation of a scheme for the division of same. Of the lands allotted under lettings for temporary convenience 496 acres have been allotted to 21 uneconomic holders, and it is the intention of the Land Commission to utilise the 335 acres at present in grazing lettings as far as possible for the relief of local congestion. No migrants have been introduced, but it may be found desirable to provide for some local migration.
asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state the amount of bog on the Singleton estate; if it is capable of supplying fuel in any quantity; and, if so, will he consider retaining it so as to supply the poor of the district with cheap fuel.
The bog acquired by the Land Commission on the Singletion estate comprises some 312 acres, part of which is cut out, but the major portion consists of high virgin bog of good quality. A scheme is in course of preparation for the division of the bog amongst local deserving applicants.