Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
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311. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when payment under the turf cutting compensation scheme will be made in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44158/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy's Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of year 1 of 15 (2011) and a payment of €1,500 in respect of year 2 of 15 (2012) have been made to this applicant.

The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that:

- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation - ownership or turbary right;

- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;

- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;

- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and

- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.

As part of my Department's verification procedures, the applicant has been requested to forward information demonstrating his legal interest in the plot to which his application relates. Once this information is supplied, my Department will be in a position to process his application further with a view to the provision of compensation in respect of this year.