John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding claims by bog owners located at the All Saints bog; if claims lodged have been processed. approved and paid; if legal and or consultants' fees have been approved and paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1121/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a group of turf cutters from All Saints Bog and Esker special area of conservation had applied to sell their interest in the land and negotiations in relation to this issue have been ongoing for a number of years. In an attempt to resolve the matter last year, a number of options were made available to the individuals within the group, including the sale of their interest in the land or entry to the cessation of turf-cutting compensation scheme (comprising a payment of €1,500 per year, index linked, for 15 years or, where feasible, relocation to a non-designated bog).

A number of the individuals from the group of turf cutters have yet to formally accept the offers made to them. Three individuals have accepted the offers and their legal representatives are in correspondence with my officials. However, my Department is still awaiting contracts for sale from the relevant solicitors.

For individuals who have decided to sell their interest in land, a contribution to legal fees is made where the purchase price is under €31,743. This is usually payable on the closing of the sale.

In an effort to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion, my Department also agreed to pay the reasonable fees of an individual who had represented the group of turf cutters throughout this time. I understand that this payment will be made in the coming weeks.