Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is difficult to quantify these issues. It is hoped to relocate turf cutters from Barroughter bog and Clonmoylan bog to Shragh bog and Mount Hevey bog to Colehill bog, Kinnegad, County Westmeath. I can provide further information to the Deputy later.

The majority of those cutting turf on raised bog SACs are co-operating with my Department in resolving relevant issues. Up to 3,017 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, applicable to raised bog special areas of conservation have been received. Of these, 814 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. Some 6,116 payments and 610 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of these applications. In addition, 1,373 legal agreements have been returned to my Department and 1,197 once-off incentive payments of €500 have been made in respect of these legal agreements. Total expenditure to date amounts to over €10.9 million.

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