asked the Taoiseach if he will state (a) the number of acres of land purchased by persons not citizens of the Republic of Ireland in each of the years 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1952 and (b) the value of the land so purchased during each of those years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Land by Non-Nationals.
The only information available regarding land purchased by persons not citizens of Ireland relates to purchases in respect of which the 25 per cent. stamp duty imposed by the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1947 was paid. As indicated in the statement which accompanied my reply to the Deputy's question on the 6th November last, particulars of the acreage and value of land involved in these transactions were not collected prior to 1950. In the first six months of 1952 the area of agricultural land purchased by non-citizens and in respect of which the 25 per cent. stamp duty was paid was 6,984 acres and the aggregate value of this land, including premises already erected thereon, on which duty was assessed was £47,742. The necessary inquiries are proceeding with a view to obtaining the corresponding particulars for the second half of the year.
The total value of all property assessed to the 25 per cent. stamp duty in the first six months of 1952 was £80,540 and in the whole year was £170,308.