John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 292 of 7 February 2012, if he will advise me of the progress made on this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22707/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The individual referred to in the Deputy's question applied to sell his interest in land under the voluntary bog purchase scheme, administered by my Department. The relevant land has been inspected and found to be partially within a site designated as a special area of conservation. A letter of offer issued to the applicant. Contracts for sale have been received and are under review in my Department. The contracts for sale will be forwarded to the Chief State Solicitor's Office to progress the sale as soon as possible.

In the light of the issues which have arisen in relation to the voluntary bog purchase scheme, I decided that applicants could, if they wished, transfer instead to the compensation scheme established by my Department for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation. This will allow applicants to retain ownership of their land holding or rights while availing of compensation.

This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme now comprises a payment of €1,500 per year, index linked, for 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 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The costs of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. An additional once-off payment of €500 will be provided where legal agreements are signed with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

My Department has recently written to applicants under the voluntary bog purchase scheme to outline their options under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme as an alternative to proceeding with their applications under the purchase scheme. This relates to applicants under the voluntary bog purchase scheme who have not received a letter of offer or have received a letter of offer but where contracts have not been signed.