Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the top-up payment paid to bog owners who sold bog to his Department prior to 2004 is €310 an acre less than is currently paid for the sale of bog; if he will review this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33652/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A cessation of turf cutting scheme was launched in March 1999 and provided standard rates for the purchase of raised bog and, in exceptional cases, blanket bog statutorily proposed for designation as a special area of conservation or a natural heritage area. In July 2004, my Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress which involved increases in the standard rates of payment. This agreement incorporated retrospective provisions benefiting landowners who participated in the original 1999 scheme. In calculating the amounts payable, the value of the previous payments per acre is adjusted in accordance with the consumer price index. This is consistent with the terms of assurances given in writing to many landowners at the time of their previous payments.