Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views regarding the evidence of various surveys of Coolrain indicates that restoration of it as an special area of conservation could be possible. [40156/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of its obligations under the EU Habitats Directive, Ireland must include a representative proportion of certain endangered habitats with Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and provide for their protection. Raised bog habitats are in danger of disappearance in Ireland and in the EU. 53 SACs, including Coolrain Bog, were nominated for designation as SACs to meet our legal obligations and safeguard a relatively small number of our raised bogs for future generations. My Department has engaged a consortium of ecological and hydrological experts to undertake a comprehensive assessment the current status and future conservation prospects of the 53 SACs. Led by RPS consultants, the results of their analysis for each site are contained in the appendix to the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, which was issued for public consultation earlier this year. The assessment shows that Coolrain is a small bog that contains a significant area of active raised bog habitat. This is the area of the bog which is actively forming peat and which is a habitat in particular danger of disappearance within the European Union. As such, it is deemed a priority habitat and afforded particular protection under EU law. Active raised bog is very sensitive to the drainage impacts of turf-cutting.

The draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan provides for the future restoration and management of the 53 raised bog SACs, including Coolrain. The draft sets out the approach to how each of the raised bog sites is to be conserved and restored, in partnership with the local community, and how the needs of turf-cutters are to be addressed.

I note that 62 turf-cutters from Coolrain Bog have engaged with my Department under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme. Of these, 11 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. Relocation options are being actively explored by my Department and Bord na Móna.

Coolrain Bog is a site of considerable conservation value, containing significant areas of active raised bog. Restoration efforts by Coillte under the EU LIFE programme have already partly secured the future of this site. My Department will work with other land-owners and with the local community to manage and restore the remainder of what is an exceptional bog. Our first priority is to ensure that turf-cutters are looked after and we are doing this through providing them with financial compensation or in helping them to continue to cut turf in an alternative bog, if that is their preference.