asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the very congested conditions of the townland of Kiltarshaun, Moore Estate, County Mayo; that 20 families are living there on holdings the Poor Law Valuations of which range from £3 7s. 6d. to £1 10s. 0d.; and if he will take immediate steps to rearrange and finally settle this village by migrating five tenants who are willing to leave and by providing new houses and outoffices, repairing roads and field fences, and carrying out drainage works for the remaining 15 tenants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Congested Conditions in County Mayo
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what scheme, if any, has been prepared for the easing of congestion in the townland of Kiltarshaun, Moore Estate, County Mayo; and what sum was allocated for improvements in Kiltarshaun when the estate was purchased.
Mr. Boland
I propose to take the Deputy's two questions—Nos. 13 and 14 —together.
The position at Kiltarshaun has been engaging the attention of the Land Commission for a considerable time. When the lands were first taken over the townland contained 44 tenancies, and to relieve the congestion there a total of 20 tenants were migrated. Numerous attempts by the Land Commission—extending over a considerable period—to obtain the co-operation of the remaining tenants in the rearrangement, enlargement and improvement of their holdings have, I am sorry to say, been unsuccessful not-withstanding that generous improvement assistance was proposed by the Land Commission in addition to the distribution of the 20 vacated holdings.
The number of migrants already taken from Kiltarshaun is considerable and further migration could only be effected at the expense of other acutely congested townlands still awaiting relief. That course is quite impracticable.
Deputies periodically complain about delay in the final distribution of migrants' vacated lands and this case is a good example of the difficulties. For obvious reasons, vacated lands cannot be retained on hands or on temporary lettings indefinitely, and in the case of Kiltarshaun the Land Commission have been left with no alternative to the preparation of a scheme for the improvement and distribution of the vacated lands without further regard to the rearrangement of the holdings.
Kiltarshaun is one of 28 townlands comprising the Moore estate, which was purchased by the former Congested Districts Board. Particulars of the board's actual or contemplated expenditure in respect of the individual townlands are not now available.