Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will explain the delay in awarding compensation to bog owners who have complied with his orders in relation to the cessation of cutting turf since 2009, and supplied all the relevant documentation in relation to compensation matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5162/12]

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm the number of turf cutters in Ballinagare bog, County Roscommon, who have applied for compensation; the number of applicants in that area who have received compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5163/12]

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm the total number of turf cutters nationwide who have applied for compensation; the number of these who have been awarded compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5164/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has secured agreement with traditional turf cutters throughout the country who are being displaced arising from various conservation measures; the extent to which the various offers made are acceptable to him and the turf cutters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5580/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total of traditional turf cutters displaced arising from EU and or other conservation measures; the number with whom agreement have been reached in relation to compensation or other measure in lieu thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5581/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 409: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which agreement has been reached on issues arising from the displacement of traditional turf cutters on the various bogs throughout County Kildare; whether full and final agreement has been achieved in all such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5582/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which any outstanding issues remain in his efforts to resolve any outstanding issues arising from conservation measures resulting in the displacement of traditional turf cutters at various identified locations throughout the country; if full and final and acceptable agreements have been reached in all such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5583/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 to 401, inclusive, and 407 to 410, inclusive, together.

In 2011, I announced a compensation package for turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting in certain designated raised bogs. The package consists of a payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, for 15 years, or their relocation to non-designated bogs to continue to cut turf. Qualifying applicants to the relocation scheme can avail of interim payments or the delivery of turf to their homes while suitable relocation sites are identified and prepared for cutting.

In April 2011 my Department wrote to known owners of land and rights in those SACs that were nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999 to inform them of the cessation of turf-cutting in these sites and to invite applications for compensation. It is estimated that there are 750 individual active turf plots on these SACs. To date, almost 650 applications for compensation or relocation have been received relating to these sites. Similarly, my Department has written to known owners of land and rights in the remaining 24 SACs nominated for designation in 2002. Applications relating to these sites should be returned by the end of February 2012. It is estimated that there are approximately 790 actively cut plots on these sites.

So far, some 51 applicants have been provided with an initial payment of compensation under the terms of the schemes. Assessment and verification of applications is a complex process, particularly in respect of proof of ownership. My officials are working closely with turf cutters, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (as successors of the Land Commission), Bord na Móna and other organisations to assist people to provide the necessary proof of legal interest with their applications. Clearly, there is a requirement to ensure that public moneys are correctly directed to those who are entitled to it but my Department is working to see how the checking process can be speeded up and simplified, so that people are paid as early as possible.

In respect of relocation, my Department is in discussion with several groups of turf-cutters from different bogs with a view to reaching satisfactory resolutions at a local level. Agreement has been concluded with groups from Clara Bog in County Offaly and from Carrownagappul and Curraghlehanagh SACs in County Galway. These solutions involved turf-cutters moving to nearby Bord na Móna bogs to continue turf-cutting. My Department is working closely with several other groups who have come forward to engage in the process and develop solutions. These discussions are at various stages of advancement but it is clear that engagement with such groups is delivering for turf-cutters on the ground. Bord na Móna and Coillte are providing invaluable assistance with this process.

To further assist in finding suitable alternative bogs, my Department has recently placed adverts in local and national papers inviting owners of privately held non-designated bog to express an interest in selling or leasing land to my Department for use as relocation sites. In Co Kildare, some 49 applications for compensation have been received so far. Of these, 7 have had their initial payment of compensation made. Discussions are ongoing between my officials and two groups of turf cutters in Kildare in respect of relocation and my understanding is that there is significant potential for relocation solutions to be found for these groups. In Co Roscommon, 97 applications for compensation have been received relating to Bellanagare Bog and 9 applicants have received payment to date.