asked the Minister for Lands what is the annuity per acre which is being paid by (a) local and (b) migrant tenants on the Grennan Estate, Athboy, County Meath; and why the annuity is so high.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Annuities of Meath Tenants.
9.
Of this 505 acre estate an area of 84 acres was allotted to five local smallholders last March at prices representing an average annuity per acre of £5-16-0. Having regard to the market value of acquired lands and to the general level of letting prices this figure is quite modest. No land has been allocated to migrants on this estate.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give the figure for the top and bottom costs there from which he has taken his average?
No; I am afraid I have not got those figures here.
Would he deny that the figure is over £8 per acre for an annuity? Would he not agree that that seems to be a little too high, in view of the fact that the migrants taken there will be required to pay only half that amount?
I have not got these figures but I think the Deputy will agree that these successful allottees were probably taking this land on conacre prior to its being allotted to them. I know the amount they were paying per acre was very much higher than the annuity.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary appreciate the fact that somebody who takes it on conacre takes it for whatever year he wants it? They must pay this every year.
My experience of the taking of conacre in my own county is that the person taking it not only takes it for a year but is particularly anxious that nobody else will take it.
The Parliamentary Secretary is talking about a separate thing. He does not know what happens generally in cases like this.