Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will identify the bogs that have been finalised for relocation of turf cutters in County Kildare; and if he will identify the list of the further 30 raised bogs that have been identified as potential relocation sites nationwide. [14130/13]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm that turf cutters on the Mouds and Ballynafagh bogs in County Kildare who have chosen to receive, on an interim basis, payments under the annuity payment scheme for each year while awaiting relocation to an alternative site will not be signed up to the annuity payment scheme in full that is for 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14131/13]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the 15 raised bog special area of conseration where relocation has been deemed unnecessary or small in scale, due to small numbers of active turf cutters on these sites, have been classed as active when turf cutting has not taken place on the sites since before 25 May 2005. [14132/13]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contact that has been made and the discussion that has taken place with the turf cutters on Ballynafagh Bog SAC and Clara Bog SAC by his Department and Bord Na Móna in relation to the sites finalised or close to finalisation for their relocation from these bogs; and the timeline for when relocation so such sites is likely to occur. [14133/13]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 to 335, inclusive, together.

Arrangements for the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs have been made as regards a group from Clara Bog special area of conservation in County Offaly and a group from Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog special areas of conservation in County Galway. The group from Clara Bog commenced turf cutting at the relocation site in Killeranny, County Offaly, in June last, where 23 qualifying turf cutters have now been accommodated.

Progress has been made with a view to the relocation of turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog special area of conservation in County Kildare to Timahoe North, County Kildare, which is in the ownership of Bord na Móna. Officials from my Department as well as staff from Bord na Móna recently meet with a number of qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog. A number of issues raised at the meeting are being followed up and my Department envisages that turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog will be able to commence cutting in the relocation site during the forthcoming turf cutting season.

I am advised that of the remaining 49 raised bog special areas of conservation, potential relocation sites have been identified for a further 31 bogs and work is ongoing on identifying and investigating sites. It would be inappropriate to name the locations of these sites at this early stage. Relocation is unlikely to be required, or is likely to be small-scale, for another 16 raised bog special areas of conservation due, for example, to the small number that had been cutting turf on these sites during the relevant five year period and would qualify for the relocation option available under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme.

Lattins Bog in County Kildare has been identified as a potential relocation site for turf cutters from Mouds Bog special area of conservation in County Kildare. Bord na Móna has produced a preliminary suitability assessment report for the relocation site, which my Department has provided to the Secretary of the Committee of the Kildare Turf Cutters Association. My Department has asked Bord na Móna to undertake a stratigraphy survey at this site, which will provide an indication of the quality of peat there.

Since February last, my Department has been in contact with the Kildare Turf Cutters Association in order to arrange a meeting with representatives from the Association to discuss issues pertaining to Mouds Bog. However, to date, the Kildare Turf Cutters Association has not taken up this invitation.

A payment of €1,500 or a supply of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum is available under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme to applicants while awaiting relocation to non-designated bogs.