asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that very little money has been spent in South Kerry in the matter of improvement of estates, etc., under sub-head I of the Vote for lands, in comparison with the amounts spent in other congested areas, and if he will take the necessary steps to have increased amounts spent in South Kerry and have more attention paid generally to the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Improvement of Kerry Estates.
Mr. Boland
It is not possible to arrange the expenditure of money on the improvement of estates on a county basis, though the Land Commission do try to deal with necessary works each year in every area. Expenditure provided for under sub-head I of the Land Commission Vote is incurred in connection with the improvement of the estates, whether tenanted or untenanted, purchased under the Land Purchase Acts; but expenditure in particular counties is largely related to the area of untenanted land available for division in those counties. The amount spent during the current financial year in County Kerry does not compare unfavourably with expenditure in such congested counties as Clare and Donegal though for obvious reasons it falls far below the similar figures for Galway and Mayo.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state when the extensive works, consisting of buildings, roads, drainage and fencing, stated to be contemplated in connection with the estates of G. C. P. O'Donoghue (Rec. No. E.C. 8669), will be commenced, and if he will state the cause of delay, in view of the promise of April last, in the work not having been undertaken before this.
Mr. Boland
On the estate of G.C. P. O'Donoghue, County Kerry, Rec. No. E.C. 8669, the Land Commission propose to carry out extensive improvement works consisting of buildings, roads, drainage and fencing, partly by means of free grants and partly by means of advances to be repaid by the tenants. As the Deputy may be aware, some difficulty has been experienced in securing the signature of the tenants to the requisite agreements to repay the advances sanctioned. The improvement works in respect of which tenants have signed agreements will be put in hands, it is hoped, at an early date.
asked the Minister for Lands if the re-survey of the bogs on the Drummond estate (Rec. No. E.C. 8035), Glencutane, Killorglin, has been completed, and, if so, when the turbary in question, within the ambit of the eight vested holdings at Glencutane Lower, will be made available; and if he is aware that an inspector sent to this area was transferred elsewhere before completion of the work on hand; and if, in the special circumstances, he will have the matter of the delay inquired into and the completion of the work expedited.
Mr. Boland
The re-survey of the bogs on the Drummond estate (E.C. 8035), Glencutane, Killorglin, has been completed and the matter of re-drafting the scheme of turbary regulations under Section 21, Irish Land Act, 1903, and Section 42, Land Act, 1923, is at present receiving attention, and will be completed as expeditiously as possible.