asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the number and location of the industrial undertakings to which publicly owned property was (a) leased, (b) sold by local authorities during the period between 1923 and 1935, the number of instances in which such property was leased or otherwise disposed of to industrial undertakings without an obligation to pay rent or other form of compensation was attached; and if he will state whether Ministerial approval has been given to the disposal of property in the absence of equitable consideration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leasing of Public Property.
I shall send the Deputy, if he wishes, a statement showing the property leased or sold by poor law authorities in the period 1923-1935.
Certain corporate bodies if they wish to sell or lease property for a longer term than 31 years (75 years in some cases) must first obtain the approval of the Minister in pursuance of the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1840. Under the statute a clear yearly rent must be reserved and made payable. Such authorities are not required to keep a record of the uses to which any lands or tenements which they let or sell are to be put. If the Deputy will put down a question in relation to a particular authority or a particular piece of property I shall endeavour to obtain any information he requires, but the circumstances do not appear to require a general investigation of all sales and lettings by local authorities.