asked the Minister for Lands if he will state (a) the area and valuation of the Iveagh estate, Ashford, Cong, acquired by the Forestry Division last year, (b) the area of arable land on the estate, (c) the purchase price paid, or about to be paid for the estate, (d) the number of permanent employees on the estate at the time of purchase, (e) the number of persons now employed by the Forestry Division on the estate, and (f) the number of persons who were provided with holdings on the estate since acquisition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cong Estate.
(a) The area of the Iveagh estate at Ashford, Cong, acquired for forestry purposes was 3,505 acres. The poor law valuation of the estate is approximately £1,709 (£1,122 lands and £587 buildings). (b) The area of arable land is 300-400 acres. (c) It is not the practice to make public the price paid for lands acquired for forestry purposes. (d) There are no details available as to the number of permanent employees on the estate at the time of purchase. (e) There are at present 45 full time and three part time employees and eight extra men are about to be engaged. In addition six men are engaged as carters from time to time. (f) No persons have been provided with holdings on this estate since the time of its acquisition by the Forestry Division.