asked the Minister for Lands the average price paid for land in County Wexford in each of the past three years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Wexford Land Prices.
56.
(Cavan): In accordance with the terms of section 5, Land Act, 1950, the Land Commission are required to pay the market value for lands acquired by them.
Having regard to the many factors affecting the price of individual properties such as size and quality, condition and character of dwellinghouse and farm buildings, proximity to fairs and markets, availability of amenities and other such considerations an overall average price figure for land acquired by the Land Commission in any one year has little real significance. However, if it is helpful for the Deputy the following are the overall average prices per acre paid for lands compulsorily acquired or voluntarily purchased by the Land Commission in County Wexford in the last three financial years:
1970-71—£124; 1971-72—£168; 1972-73—£156.
I should, perhaps, say that while these figures relate to lands taken over in the years mentioned the prices may well have been agreed upon or fixed quite some time before.
My main reason for putting down this question was that at present the prices which land bonds are making on the open market are completely unfair and ridiculous. Where the Land Commission acquire land compulsorily £100 brings in something in the region of £80. That does not take into consideration what it costs to sell them. When they come back on the market they are down to £75 per £100.
(Cavan): That appears to be a sepreate question.
If the Minister wants to get out of it that way I will take it up with him again after the recess.
(Cavan): Although he did not ask me I can tell the Deputy that as I said the prices which I have just given were prices for land taken over in the years in question and they may have been fixed previously, but the Deputy might like to know that prices actually agreed upon and fixed for the years mentioned in Wexford averaged in 1970-71 £120 per acre, 1971-72, £175 per acre, and 1972-73, £344 per acre.
Would the Minister like to comment on my remarks about land bonds?
(Cavan): Perhaps there would not be a lot of difference between the Deputy's thinking on land bonds and the Minister's thinking on land bonds?
Does the Minister agree then that he should make more money available for the purchase of land rather than land bonds?
(Cavan): The Deputy may take it that I will do everything I possibly can to make it as attractive as possible for farmers to sell land to the Land Commission.