Tairgim:—
Go ndeonfar suim fhorlíontach nach mó na £63,000 chun íochtha an Mhuirir a thiocfas chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1953, chun Tuarastal agus Costas Oifig an Aire Tailte agus Oifig Choimisiún Talún na hÉireann (44 & 45 Vict., c. 49, alt 46, agus c. 71, alt 4; 48 & 49 Vict, c. 73, ailt 17, 18 agus 20; 54 & 55 Vict., c. 48; 3 Edw. 7, c. 37; 7 Edw. 7, c. 38 agus c. 56; 9 Edw. 7, c. 42; Uimh. 27 agus 42 de 1923; Uimh. 25 de 1925; Uimh. 11 de 1926; Uimh. 19 de 1927; Uimh. 31 de 1929;Uimh. 11 de 1931; Uimh. 33 agus 38 de 1933; Uimh. 11 de 1934; Uimh. 41 de 1936; Uimh. 26 de 1939; Uimh. 12 de 1946; Uimh 25 de 1949; agus Uimh. 16 de 1950).
Sé príomh-chuspóir an Mheastacháin Fhorlíonta seo ná £80,000 sa bhreis a chur a fáil i gcóir oibreacha feabhsúcháin de chuid Choimisiún na Talún, ach tá £7,495 ag teastáil freisin faoi mhírcheanna eile. Níl ach £63,000 le deonadh, áfach, toise go bhfuil méadú ar leithreasa i gcabhair agus laghdú ar chaiteachas faoi mhírcheanna eile— go h-áirithe mírcheann A (Tuarastail agus Páighe agus Liúntaisí).
The main purpose of this Supplementary Estimate is to provide a further sum of £80,000 for Land Commission improvement works, but amounts totalling £7,495 are also needed for other purposes. The additional requirements are offset to the extent of £24,495 by increased Appropriations-in-Aid and estimated savings on other sub-heads—mainly sub-head A (salaries, etc.)—leaving £63,000 to be voted.
The smaller items do not call for much explanation. Travelling and subsistence allowances have recently been increased. Legal expenses have risen as a result of greater activity in proceedings for acquisition of land. I may say that proceedings are arising out of the changes made following the passage of the 1950 Land Act. Deficiencies occur when State claims are met in land bonds at their full nominal value and the bonds are sold at a discount. Incidentally, I might mention that the Land (No.2) Bill, 1952, which I hope to have circulated shortly, will contain provisions aimed at securing that future series of land bonds will remain at or near par for a reasonable time after their creation.
As regards improvement works, the revised estimate of expenditure this year reaches the high level of £560,000. These works provide a substantial amount of employment and the rates of wages, which have been rising during the year, are the same as those paid by the county councils to their road workers. It is the policy of the Government to expedite the relief of congestion and good progress is being made. Increasing attention is beingdevoted to migration from and rearrangement in the congested districts and these activities necessarily entail heavy expenditure on improvements, particularly on buildings. Prices tendered by contractors have advanced substantially. It is hoped to have some 250 dwellinghouses and 300 outoffices completed this year; the corresponding figures last year were 150 dwellinghouses and 160 outoffices.
Last year holdings were provided for 75 migrants; that figure is expected to be more than doubled in the current year. A substantial increase in the number of holdings rearranged is also anticipated. It is estimated that some 28,000 acres of land will be acquired during the year and that the area allotted will exceed 25,000 acres.
Deputies are well aware of the importance of land settlement operations, especially in the congested districts, and I have no hesitation in seeking their support for this Estimate which will enable progress to be maintained for the remainder of the financial year.