Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has applied for EU LIFE funding for special areas of conservation designated bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37779/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is the national co-ordinator of applications for funding under the European Union LIFE nature programme. In addition, my Department may take a lead role in a specific LIFE project or may participate in a project in an advisory capacity.

My Department is currently involved in an advisory capacity in two LIFE nature projects concerning bogs in special areas of conservation, where Coillte was the successful applicant. Both are demonstration projects relating to restoration of habitats on Coillte property in designated peatland sites. The projects are, Restoring Active Blanket Bog in Ireland, which commenced in 2002, and, Restoring Raised Bog in Ireland, which commenced in 2004.

My Department has applied for and secured EU funding as a lead partner in the BurrenLIFE project which commenced in 2004. This project is being undertaken in partnership with local public and private organisations including the Burren branch of the Irish Farmers Association. BurrenLIFE is designed to develop a new model for sustainable agri-environmental management of special areas of conservation in the Burren but is not concerned with bogs.