asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that a number of small farmers in County Donegal are unable to take advantage of the local authority scheme for the erection of houses for small farmers whose PLV does not exceed £5 owing to the fact that their holdings have not been revested in the tenants; and, if so, if he will take steps so that the Land Commission and the Land Registry will revest and register the holdings as soon as possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Revested Holdings.
40.
My information is that there are no cases outstanding for attention in the Land Commission at present where small farmers in County Donegal have applied to have their holdings vested in them so as to qualify for participation in the special housing scheme operated by the county council. Any such applications received are dealt with expeditiously and sympathetically—and where a particular holding cannot be vested immediately as a unit the practice in the Land Commission is to divorce, by subdivision order, the site of the proposed dwellinghouse from the main part of the holding and vest it separately. I understand that registration is then effected in the Land Registry as a matter of urgency. If the Deputy is concerned about a particular case and furnishes details, I shall have the matter examined.
I might add that the number of holdings in County Donegal which remain to be vested in tenant-purchasers is about 1,400. As a substantial proportion of these require rearrangement, enlargement or general improvement before they can be released for vesting, the work involved in dealing with them is necessarily tedious. Every effort, however, is being made to bring the vesting proceedings for these holdings to a conclusion as rapidly as circumstances permit.
Does the Minister mean to furnish the details directly to himself?
Yes. If that is done, I will have the matter examined.
I am grateful to the Minister.