asked the Minister for Lands if he will give particulars of each farm in County Meath divided by the Land Commission in each of the last five years, showing (a) the total acreage, (b) the acreage given to local applicants, (c) the acreage given to migrants, (d) the number of accommodation plots given, (e) the cost in each year of (b) and (c), and (f) the amount of profit or loss to his Department on each farm from its acquisition to its division.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Division in Meath.
65.
The official statistics reflect the aggregate land allotment in each county rather than the allocation of individual farms. On this basis, the replies to parts (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the question take the form of a tabular statement which I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report.
As regards part (e), records are not so compiled as to enable the precise information requested to be readily extracted. To do so at this stage would require an exhaustive examination of the numerous estate files concerned and would necessitate a disproportionate expenditure of official time. For the Deputy's information, however, the tabular statement already referred to includes particulars of expenditure on estate improvements in County Meath in each of the years in question. I would also refer him to the reply to a question (No. 23) of 21st February last, which may be of interest.
As regards part (f), the general position in this matter and the practical difficulties in the way of supplying the particulars sought were outlined in a letter to the Deputy from my Department on 30th April, 1962.
Following is the statement:—
COUNTY MEATH.
|
LAND DIVISION |
IMPROVEMENTS EXPENDITURE |
||||||
|
Year ended 31st March |
Total area allotted |
Area allotted to local (i.e., County Meath) allottees |
Area allotted to Migrants |
Accommodation plots |
Buildings* |
General Improvements etc. |
Total |
|
Acres |
Acres |
Acres |
Number |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
1959 |
888 |
417 |
471 |
— |
33,724 |
13,144 |
46,868 |
|
1960 |
1,152 |
252 |
900 |
3 |
34,306 |
13,412 |
47,718 |
|
1961 |
1,443 |
543 |
900 |
6 |
31,265 |
11,528 |
42,793 |
|
1962 |
832 |
286 |
546 |
3 |
48,766 |
15,689 |
64,455 |
|
1963 |
1,659 |
909 |
750 |
4 |
39,542 |
15,091 |
54,633 |
|
(provisional) |
* It may be taken that expenditure under this heading was incurred for the most part on the construction of new vellinghouses (and out-offices) on holdings for migrants.
Surely the Minister will remember that some months ago he invited me to put down the question again at a later date. Referring to part (f) of the question, perhaps the Minister would have another look at his letter to me.
The Deputy might study the tabular statement which he is getting with the reply.
Will the Minister say if the statement contains information as to what profit or loss was made by the Land Commission on the estates in question? That is what I want, what I want to find out, and if it is not in the statement, there is not much point in my reading it or studying it.
I think the Deputy will get there a general idea. Let me state generally that lands are not let by the Land Commission for the purpose of making profits. The delay invariably is for the purpose of preparing a scheme and invariably there is a loss to the State on all resales.
I take it the Minister is aware that while schemes may take time to prepare, the division of estates in County Meath has been held up for upwards of nine years.
That is not long.
Surely the Minister does not expect anybody to believe that delays of that order——
The Deputy will appreciate that the average loss, speaking from recollection, on reselling to tenants is approximately 25 per cent.