asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that, since 1st January, 1953, no lands in East Donegal were acquired by the Land Commission for division and that in one case only was an offer for land made; and, if so, if the Land Commissionwill take steps to speed up land acquisition in that area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition and Division.
I am aware that the position in East Donegal is as stated by the Deputy.
I should mention, however, that in the whole County of Donegal, in the last six months, the Land Commission have obtained preliminary reports on 30 estates comprising some 2,300 acres and have called for detailed reports on eight estates comprising about 700 acres.
Is the Minister aware that East Donegal comprises half the county and that since the 1st January no activity has taken place in respect of the purchase of holdings and would he urge that action be taken immediately to see that some of the absentee landlords who are adopting the conacre system should be relieved of the holdings?
The matter is under constant consideration by the Land Commission but the Deputy will realise that priority has to be given to cases in areas of acute congestion. If the Deputy wishes to send me particulars of any case to which, he thinks, sufficient attention has not been given, I will be glad to have the matter looked into.
asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission has considered the possibility of having the lands on Porter estate, Ballintogher, Geashill, Offaly, acquired and divided amongst the local smallholders and deserving applicants in the area; and, if so, whether he will state the present position in the matter.
The Land Commission considered this case in 1939 and decided to take no action. A substantial area of land has already been allotted by the Land Commission in the surrounding district.
Circumstances have changed since 1939 and as the owner of the lands has now emigrated to England, leaving the farm set by conacre, and as quite a lot of congestionexists in the area where a number of smallholders are paying from £12 to £18 per acre for conacre, and further in view of the fact that he has received within the last week or ten days a list of the applicants and the valuations proving the amount of congestion that exists in this area does the Minister not think there is sufficient justification for reconsideration in this case?
My information from the inspectors is that congestion is not very much in the area. Quite a large area of land has already been divided in the district. Furthermore, about one-third of the land is bog and cut away and another portion is rough pasture and non-arable and it is doubtful if it would be suitable for the purposes of the Land Commission.
What is the mileage definition of "surrounding district"?
The immediate vicinity, within one mile.