asked the Minister for Agriculture (a) if he is aware of the number of farmers in Westmeath, Longford and other counties who are in financial difficulties and who can sell part of their lands (some up to 37 statute acres) but will not be allowed to do so by the Land Commission as they claim this would make uneconomic holdings; (b) if he is further aware that if they are not allowed to sell now, with interest rates of near 20 per cent and inflation of 21 per cent, their whole farms will be sold by the banks or ACC in a few years time; and if he is prepared to alter the regulations so that such farmers can clear their debts and they and their families remain in their homes and farms and continue farming.
Written Answers. - Sale of Land.
423.
The Land Commission are empowered, under section 12 of the 1965 Land Act to withhold their consent to subdivision of a holding "solely to prevent the creation or continuance of holdings which in the opinion of the Land Commission are not economic holdings". Each application for consent to subdivision is considered on its merits by reference to that discretionary provision whilst taking account of the social, personal and financial circumstances of the parties involved and having regard also to any other relevant factors, e.g., land use considerations.
Out of nearly 9,000 subdivision applications received since the beginning of 1981 only 65 have been refused. If the Deputy has in mind a particular case where the refusal of consent to subdivision has caused or would cause serious difficulties, perhaps he would let me have details of the case and I will have it examined.