Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the sale of bogland in a special area of conservation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [37524/11]

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 conveyance work involved.

On 15 of April this year, the Government made a number of decisions in relation to turf cutting in Ireland, including the putting in place of a compensation package for those who are required to cease cutting, the establishment of a Peatlands Council and the drawing up of a national strategy on peatland conservation and management. In the context of the national strategy, the position regarding raised bog Natural Heritage Areas, which are protected under national legislation, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive will be examined in advance of the 2014 cutting season.

The land referred to by the Deputy was designated in 2004 but the sale of the land has not yet been finalised. The 10-year derogation, which allows for the continuation of domestic turf cutting in this area, will not expire until 2014. The issue of purchase of land/rights in NHA bogs is being kept under review in light of the decision to review the approach to these areas more generally.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which traditional turf cutters displaced by special areas of conservation, SAC, or similar conservation measures have accepted settlement proposals to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37139/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the proportion of displaced traditional turf cutters that have accepted compensation or alternative turf cutting locations arising from disputes in the wake of the activation of special areas of conservation, SACs, or other conservation measures. [37140/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together.

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 will be able to avail of an annual delivery of turf to their homes.

My Department is currently processing more than 520 applications received to date under this Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme. Following a reminder issued from my Department, there was 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.

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. My Department received over 280 applications under this scheme and has paid a total of €177,000 to applicants.

My Department estimates that about 1,500 active turf cutters are affected by the requirement to cease cutting turf on raised bog SACs. Of these approximately 750 relate to the bogs designated before 1999 on which cutting was to cease in 2010 and an additional 750 relate to the 24 bogs on which cutting will cease from the end of this year. The number of applicants for the various compensation schemes will increase further as applications are received in relation to these 24 bogs.

It should also be noted that 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. My Department has completed sales for over 1,050 applicants and, to date, in the region of €26 million has been paid to applicants under this scheme.

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.