Written answers

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Turbary Rights

Photo of Noel GrealishNoel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the value the State places on an acre of raised bog, which is not under a special area of conservation, the rate his Department will pay to purchase an acre of raised bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51949/12]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the context of the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs, under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, my Department is prepared to consider the purchase or long-term lease of suitable sites for turf extraction. It is not possible to place a set figure on the amount my Department would pay, as a variety of factors would need to be taken into consideration.

My Department administers the voluntary bog purchase scheme under which individuals have applied to sell their interest in sites designated as raised bog special areas of conservation or natural heritage areas at agreed rates. While this scheme has been closed to new applicants since May 2010, the current purchase rates are as follows:

- Freehold : €3,500 for the first acre or part thereof and €3,000 for each subsequent acre.

- Turbary Rights Only : €2,975 for the first acre, or part thereof, and €2,550 for each subsequent acre.

- Fee Simple with Turbary Rights reserved to Third Party : €525 for the first acre and €450 for each subsequent acre.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.