asked the Minister for Lands if he will state if and when an offer to purchase the estate of Group Captain Ryan, Thomastown, County Offaly (Record No. U/118), was made by the Land Commission; and, if so, whether the offer has been accepted by the owner; further, if he will state the total acreage of arable land on the estate and what portion of it is under tillage this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Offaly Estate.
Agreement was reached as to the price of this estate following negotiations last month. Possession of the lands was obtained under a temporary letting on the 15th instant. The estate includes some 585 acres of arable land of which 58 acres have been let in tillage by the Land Commission, 33 acres are in first crop meadow and the balance is lea ground intermingled with trees and not adequately fenced for tillage.
In view of the fact that a number of able-bodied men lost their employment, being dismissed by the man who owned the land previous to the Land Commission's buying it, would the Minister suggest to the Land Commission that these individuals, some with large families and a big number of dependents, should receive favourable consideration for employment by the Forestry Department?
That is a separate question but I will consider it.