asked the Minister for Lands if his Department will consider purchasing many small holdings that have been rented for many years, as these holdings, if purchased and given over to local farmers, would improve their lot and encourage them to stay on the land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Rented Holdings.
21.
When replying to the recent debate on the Lands Estimate I dealt with this matter of holdings which have been let for a period of five years or over and I would refer the Deputy to columns 2240 and 2241 of the Official Report dated 25th May, 1966. I might add that substantial progress has been made in the compilation of a register of these holdings, the total number of which comes to about 6,900. Some 500 of these are already the subject of detailed investigation by the Land Commission and in the overall there are current proceedings for the acquisition—either compulsory or voluntary—of upwards of 60,000 acres throughout the country.