Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 64, 68, 80, 83, 86 and 307 together.

In 2011 the Government announced a compensation scheme for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation, SACs. The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme comprises a payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, for 15 years or, where feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of cut turf while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The cost of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. The Government has recently considered whether the financial package announced in 2011 should be enhanced. I will make an announcement to the House in this regard during Private Members' business later today.

In April 2011 my Department wrote to known owners of land and rights in the SACs nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999 to inform them of the cessation of turf cutting on these sites and to invite applications for compensation. Advertisements were also placed in local and national newspapers. It is estimated that 750 individual turf plots are active on these SACs. To date, almost 650 applications for compensation or relocation have been received relating to these sites.

Assessment and verification of applications is a complex process, particularly in respect of proof of ownership. My officials have been working closely with turf cutters, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as successor of the Land Commission, Bord na Móna and the Property Registration Authority to assist people to provide the necessary proof of legal interest with their applications. While a number of payments have been made under the scheme, the complexity of ensuring adherence to the qualification criteria has caused delays in making payments. However, my Department has recently put in place arrangements to speed up and simplify the checking process and expects to make by the end of this month a significant number of initial payments to additional applicants for sites nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999.

In December my Department wrote to known owners of land and rights in the SACs nominated for designation in 2002. Advertisements were also placed in local and national newspapers. It is estimated that there are approximately 790 actively cut plots on these sites. The deadline for the receipt of applications relating to these sites was the end of February 2012. Owing to the high number of applications received in recent days, the details of the numbers received are not readily available. To allow potential applicants time to gather the necessary legal documents, I have decided to extend the deadline for the receipt of applications for sites nominated for designation in 2002 until 30 April 2012.

The Government has been conscious of the need to build a shared understanding of the requirements of the habitats directive regarding the protection of raised bog SACs. To this end, it established the peatlands council under an independent chairman, Mr. Conor Skehan, to bring all parties together. Last week, on his initiative, a peatlands forum was convened in Athlone under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice John Quirke. It provided an opportunity for all parties to identify and discuss what was needed to resolve issues arising from Ireland's requirements to implement the habitats directive on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation. The forum considered proposals in regard to relocation and other solutions to address the requirements of the directive. Its report, prepared by Mr. Justice Quirke, was presented to me and considered by the Government this morning. My Department will publish the report on its website this afternoon and, once people have had an opportunity to consider it, I propose to respond more fully to it during Private Members' business.

My Department has been in discussion regarding relocation with several groups of turf cutters from different bogs with a view to reaching satisfactory resolutions at local level. Agreement has been concluded with groups from Clara bog in County Offaly and Mountbellew in County Galway. These solutions involve turf cutters moving to nearby Bord na Móna bogs where they will be able to continue turf cutting.

The position on continued cutting on natural heritage areas, NHAs, will be reviewed in accordance with the programme for Government. This will be done in the context of drawing up a national peatlands strategy which is being undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the peatlands council. I have undertaken that such a review will be completed in advance of the 2014 cutting season. The review will provide clarity on the future of turf cutting on these sites. The issues regarding turf cutting on Ireland's raised bog special areas of conservation will be discussed in greater detail later and tomorrow during Private Members' business and I look forward to contributing to that debate.

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