Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the proposal to pay €1,000 to bog owners who do not cut turf in designated areas, if he will clarify that these bog owners continue to own their bog and that this payment is not in any way a purchase of their bog. [14032/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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A Government decision of the 5th of April 2011 established a long-term compensation package for turf-cutters in sites where turf cutting is no longer possible for reasons of environmental protection. The scheme, which applies immediately to turf-cutters on 31 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation, will deliver payments of €1,000 per annum for a maximum of 15 years. As an alternative to financial payments, and where feasible, qualifying turf-cutters will be facilitated in relocating to alternative, non-designated sites to continue cutting turf. The scheme offers compensation for ceasing permanently to cut turf on the designated sites and does not involve purchase of the sites.