asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring for the relief of congestion the estate of Arthur Gentleman, Ballyhorgan, Lixnaw, County Kerry (R.O. No. 16006), which is at present offered for sale, and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Congestion Relief.
The Land Commission have had inquiries made regarding this estate and have decided to take no action towards acquiring it.
andKennedy asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring the Talbot lands, Creggan, Garrycastle, Athlone, County Westmeath, for division among the congested smallholders in the neighbourhood, and, if so, with what result.
The Land Commission have asked for a detailed report on these lands.
andCoburn asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that of the 709 holdings in the peninsula of Cooley, County Louth, 570 are of ten statute acres or under; if he will state how many persons in Cooley have received farms from the Land Commission since its inception and how many of these proved to be unsatisfactory tenants; and whether the Land Commission have any plans for the alleviation of congestion in the area in the immediate future.
The statistics ordinarily compiled by the Land Commission do not provide figures for separate districts such as Cooley. I am, however, generally aware that the holdings in the district are small and I can state that the Land Commission have proceedings in progress for the acquisition or resumption of two holdings comprising 73 acres in the Cooley area; they have also made tentative inquiries regarding eight holdings amounting in all to 500 acres.
Should any of these lands be finally acquired they can be used for the relief of congestion among the hardworking smallholders of the district.
For the information of the Deputies —the Forestry Division of my Department has planted over 600 acres in Cooley as part of Dundalk forest centre.
Would the Minister agree that as there are no large holdings available for division in Cooley the answer would be to adopt the system of exchange holdings by which persons in Cooley willing to leave would get another holding outside the district and their holdings at home could be given to the people who remained?
Is the Minister aware that young people in this area are forced to emigrate every year because they cannot earn a livelihood on their father's farm?
I am aware that the average size of holding in this particular district is small and in this case migration, the usual system by which the Land Commission will relieve congestion when there is enough land in the area, cannot be employed.
What about all the land purchased by aliens?