Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the location, name and extent of each of the 32 raised bogs sites nominated for designation in 1999 as special areas of conservation, on which turf cutting for personal domestic use was allowed until 2009; his plan and programme for their conservation and protection in respect of these raised bog sites; the nature of the protection works envisaged in the case of each such plan; the timescale for implementation; the estimated cost in each such case; the allocation of money to be spent in 2010 on each such plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11997/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a copy of his plan for the protection of 32 raised bog sites nominated for special areas of conservation in 1999; if such programme of plans is available to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11998/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the date on which he had an approved derogation provided by the EU for 32 raised bog sites nominated for designation as special areas of conservation in 1999; if he will include in this reply, the formal wording of the derogation as approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11999/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the name, location and extent of 23 raised bog special areas of conservation which were nominated for designation in 2002; the date and wording of the formal derogation by him in respect of these 23 raised bogs, on which turf cutting for personal domestic use can continue until 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12000/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a copy of the individual plans that he has prepared for the protection and conservation of 23 raised bog special areas of conservation designated in 2002; the estimated timescale and cost involved in each such plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12001/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the name, location and extent of 75 natural heritage areas designated in 2004; his plans prepared for their protection and conservation; if he can provide copies of each individual plan; the wording and the date of approval of a Government derogation in each of these 75 areas; if he will confirm that turf cutting for domestic purposes can continue in these 75 areas until 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12002/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 284, inclusive, together.

Ireland is required to protect habitats of European importance under the Habitats Directive 1992, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. In accordance with the Directive, Ireland has nominated certain raised bog sites, which contain priority natural habitats under the Directive, as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs). In addition, Ireland has also designated other raised bogs as natural heritage areas (NHAs) under the 2000 Wildlife Act.

By 1999, 32 raised bog site had been designated as Special Areas of Conservation. Commercial cutting was stopped and a 10-year grace period was granted to those cutting turf for their own domestic use. This was intended to allow those involved sufficient time to find an alternative source of fuel. A similar 10-year period applies to bogs designated after 1999. Approval was not sought from the EU in relation to this matter. Arising from the ten-year grace period, cutting for domestic purposes may continue on the remaining 23 raised bog SACs until the end of 2011 and the 75 NHA raised bog sites until the end of 2013. I am providing a list, with counties of location and extent of raised bog habitat within each site, of the 32 raised bog sites nominated for designation as SACs by 1999 and the 23 nominated in 2002. I am also providing information on the 75 which were classified as NHAs in 2004.

Management plans for these sites will comprise measures to maintain them in, or restore them to, favourable conservation status as required by the Habitats Directive. This will involve a complete cessation of all turf-cutting on the sites and restorative work including in relation to artificial drainage channels which were dug to facilitate turf extraction. Detailed management plans have yet to be drawn up for most sites, and these will be established after detailed surveys. My Department has allocated some €5.4 million for measures to compensate turbary owners in 2010. This is intended to cater for existing arrangements, including the need to make provision for any commercial turf cutters who have established rights to compensation for mandatory cessation of their activities.

The work of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Raised Bogs is nearing completion and I expect to receive its report very shortly. I will conclude my consideration of the report and any recommendations it contains, including in relation to cost and timeframe for implementation, as rapidly as possible, and will then be in touch with affected individuals and representative groups in regard to the position.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the nature and conditions of the bog purchase scheme available to tenants in areas of raised bog on which it is proposed not to allow further turf cutting for domestic purposes; the overall capital available to him for this scheme in 2010; the numbers of tenants approached in the case of the 32 raised bog sites which were designated as special areas of conservation in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12003/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Approximately €5.4 million has been made available in 2010 for the Bog Purchase Scheme for domestic cutters and for the compensation of commercial turf cutters. Having regard to available resources, priority in the domestic scheme is being given to those wishing to sell their interest in the 32 raised bog sites which were nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation in 1999. To date, over 220 applications have been received from owners of lands/rights within the 32 Raised Bog SACs. The Bog Purchase Scheme is a voluntary scheme advertised by my Department. It is up to interested parties to apply to sell qualifying land under this scheme. I have arranged for details of the voluntary bog purchase scheme to be forwarded to the Deputy for his information.