Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

284. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applicants who have applied for relocation, and the number of applicants who have been successfully relocated, from Barroughter bog (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9706/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

99 applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been received and acknowledged by my Department in respect of the bog referred to in the Deputy’s Question. Of these, 33 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. To date, none of these applicants have been relocated to a non-designated bog. However, a number of bogs have been assessed as suitable relocation sites for turf cutters from this raised bog special area of conservation and my Department is in discussions at present with a number of turf cutters who have expressed an interest in relocating to one of those.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

285. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of plot owners who were paid money for turf plots in Barroughter bog (details supplied) in County Galway under schemes other than the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme; the amounts paid to each recipient in such instances categorised by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9715/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Compensation has been paid under a number of schemes administered by my Department in respect of raised bog habitat nominated for designation as special areas of conservation under the EU Habitats Directive, including Barroughter Bog. In 1999, a voluntary bog purchase scheme was introduced under which domestic turf cutters could sell their plots at agreed rates. These rates were subsequently increased in 2004, following agreement with the farming organisations under the Partnership talks.

In May 2010, the then Government announced the closure of the voluntary bog purchase scheme to new applicants. However, my Department is continuing to process applications, in respect of special areas of conservation, received before this date.

A total of €441,223 was paid to 25 applicants from Barroughter Bog under this scheme between 2000 and 2014.

Details of the voluntary bog purchase scheme cases from Barroughter Bog by year are set out in the table below.

In May 2010, an interim compensation payment scheme was established. This provided interim funding to those who had been cutting turf on raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999. 13 applicants from Barroughter Bog each received a payment of €1,000 in respect of 2010 during that year under this scheme. One further applicant from Barroughter Bog received a payment of €1,000 in 2011 under this scheme in respect of 2010.

This scheme has been replaced by the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme established in 2011.

Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme