Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the numbers and take up of the various schemes offered as a solution to turf cutting cessation programme for individual counties; the number of cases outstanding; and if all applicants will have their moneys by end of year. [32886/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Earlier this year, the Government announced a compensation package for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting in 53 raised bog special areas of conservation (SACs). The package offers qualifying turf cutters the option of a financial payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, for a period of 15 years or, where feasible, relocation to a non-designated bog where they can continue to cut turf. Qualifying applicants awaiting relocation can avail of the annual €1,000 payment or an annual delivery of turf to their homes.

My Department is currently processing applications under this Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme. Following a reminder issued from my Department, there has been an increased interest in the scheme with the vast majority of applications, and requests for application forms, being received in the week preceding the closing date for the scheme (31 October 2011). I have decided to extend the deadline for the receipt of applications until 31 December 2011 to allow potential applicants the time to gather the necessary legal documents.

The process of confirming details of ownership rights or of turbary rights, determining whether turf has been cut on a particular bog plot in the current year, following up with some applicants regarding supporting documentation can be complex and time consuming. However, work on processing these applications is ongoing with a view to commencing payments before the end of this year.

In 2010 an interim payment scheme was operated and this scheme paid a once-off amount of €1,000 to those who could not continue to cut turf on designated sites in 2010.

Details of the numbers of applications under the two schemes are set out in the tables at Appendix 1 and 2.

Since 1999 my Department has operated a voluntary bog purchase scheme under which sites in designated bogs have been purchased by the Department at agreed rates. In May 2010, this 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 time it takes to process applications can also vary depending on the legal complexities involved.

It is acknowledged that some applicants have been waiting for several years for their sales to complete. My Department will be writing to all remaining applicants under the voluntary bog purchase scheme in the coming weeks to outline their options in light of recent policy decisions regarding the availability of alternative compensation arrangements.

Details of the scheme are not readily available in the format requested. This information is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.