Written answers
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs
Departmental Schemes
9:00 pm
Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding an application for sale of bogland in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [16320/11]
Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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In May 2010, the voluntary bog purchase scheme was closed to new applicants. Processing of applications on hand has been slower than anticipated due to capacity constraints in undertaking the conveyancing work involved.
The Government recently announced a number of decisions regarding the future management of peatlands in Ireland and, in particular, the protection of bogs designated as Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas. In addition to the establishment of an independent Peatlands Council, the Government has announced a compensation package for turf-cutters in sites where continued turf cutting is no longer possible for reasons of environmental protection. My Department will be writing to all remaining applicants under the voluntary purchase scheme in the coming weeks to outline their options in light of the availability of alternative compensation arrangements.
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