Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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860. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views that it is acceptable that a person (details supplied) in County Galway is now waiting over 14 months for a decision on an appeal for compensation to the Peatlands Council; the steps she is taking to address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29719/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In April 2011, the Government agreed to the setting up of an independently chaired Peatlands Council to assist the Government and stakeholders regarding certain issues relating to the management of Ireland’s peatlands, in particular bogs nominated for designation as special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas. Applicants to the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme administered by my Department may, further to the option of a Departmental review, appeal their case to the Peatlands Council in the event that they are informed that the qualifying criteria of the scheme have not been met. The Council may then make recommendations to me, as Minister, on such cases.

As part of the appeals process, the Council has established an Appeals Sub Group consisting of three members of the Council. While the terms of reference in relation to the Peatlands Council’s appeals function have been agreed between the Council and me, as Minister, the operation of the appeals function is a matter for the Council itself.

I understand that, following agreement on these terms of reference, the applicant referred to in the Deputy’s Question was informed by the Secretary of the Council, on 12 January last, that it was hoped to arrange a hearing of the appeal by the Appeals Subgroup as soon as possible. I am further advised that, on 28 April 2015, the Appeals Subgroup reported to the Council on this case. In order to make a recommendation on the merits of the case, the Council agreed that further information relating to the operation of the rural environmental protection scheme, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, was necessary.

I understand that this information has been acquired and that a further hearing of the appeal by the Appeals Subgroup will be arranged as soon as possible, with a view to a recommendation being made by the Peatlands Council.