Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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173. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which full, and final, agreements have been reached with the various parties involved in County Kildare, affected by restrictions on turf-cutting, in Special Areas of Conservation, and Natural Heritage Areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10724/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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160 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 Mouds Bog and 60 applications in respect of Ballynafagh Bog in County Kildare. A total of 245 annual payments, 146 turf deliveries and 20 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Mouds Bog and 86 annual payments, 18 turf deliveries and 9 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Ballynafagh Bog. 66 applicants from Mouds Bog and 25 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. Progress has been made with a view to the relocation of 12 qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog to Timahoe North, County Kildare, which is in the ownership of Bord na Móna. Turf cutters have not yet agreed with my Department to relocate to this site.

Lattins Bog, also known as Mouds North Bog, in County Kildare, has been assessed as a suitable relocation site for turf cutters from Mouds Bog. My Department had sought expressions of interest from qualifying applicants under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme with a view to relocation to this site. However, the level of interest received in relocation to this site has been muted to date.

I am advised that, in agreement with local turf cutter representatives, a contractor, engaged by my Department, is in the process of examining whether turf cutting could take place on Mouds Bog where it can be shown that such cutting would not have an adverse effect on the site, in accordance with article 6.3 of the EU Habitats Directive.