Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9042/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The individual referred to in the Deputy's question has applied to sell her interest in land in a raised bog special area of conservation under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme, which is administered by my Department. A letter of offer for the purchase of the land had issued from my Department. However, no contracts for sale have been signed. I am advised that processing of applications on hand under this scheme has been slower than anticipated, due to capacity constraints in undertaking the work involved. In 2011, the Government announced a compensation scheme for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation. This Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme consists of a payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, over 15 years, or, where feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of cut turf while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The cost of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. Where applicants under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme have not received a letter of offer or have received a letter of offer but contracts have not been signed, my Department will write to them to outline their options under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a deal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [9080/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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In 2010, the then Government decided that turf cutting should come to an end on raised bog Natural Heritage Areas at the end of 2013. However, the current Programme for Government contains an undertaking to review the situation with regard to turf cutting on Natural Heritage Areas. On 15 April 2011, 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 designated under national legislation, will be examined in advance of the 2014 cutting season in accordance with the Programme for Government. In response to Question No. 312 of 17 January last, I indicated that the land referred to by the Deputy is located in an area that was designated as a Natural Heritage Area in 2003. A letter of offer for the purchase of the land had issued from my Department. However, no contracts for sale were signed. My Department is giving priority to putting in place the compensation requirements in relation to the cessation of cutting on the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation. In the circumstances, and in light of the decision to review the approach to these areas more generally, the issue of any further purchase of land or rights in Natural Heritage Area bogs, including the land referred to, is being kept under review.