Written answers

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Expenditure

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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36. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in issuing compensation to turf cutters under the turf cutting cessation scheme; if an evaluation of compensation savings that could accrue to her Department were the relocation of turf cutters fast tracked has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39262/15]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, administered by my Department, is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off incentive payment of €500. 3,149 applications have been received under this scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation. The scheme has been extended to land owners and turbary right holders affected by the curtailment of turf cutting in raised bog natural heritage areas. 220 applications have been received from applicants from these sites.

8,521 annual payments have been made in respect of the applications received under the scheme for the raised bog special areas of conservation, In addition, 1,501 once-off incentive payments and 772 turf deliveries have been made to applicants from these sites. 197 annual payments have been made in respect of the applications received for the raised bog natural heritage areas.

Assessment and verification of applications is a difficult process, particularly in respect of proof of ownership, which takes time to complete. My officials continue to work with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (as successors of the Irish Land Commission), Bord na Móna and other organisations to assist individuals with respect to the qualifying criteria of the scheme and their applications.

Relocation is a complex process, which involves investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity; assessing the infrastructure/drainage works required; establishing the number that can be accommodated on a site; assessing the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease; and meeting possible planning and environmental impact assessment requirements.

All the steps in the relocation process must be undertaken prior to the relocation of turf cutters to a suitable site. Given the nature of the work, this takes time. I am advised that the cost of this work is essentially the same irrespective of the time period required to undertake the work.

It is the aim of my Department and I to secure a relocation site for every qualifying applicant who wishes to relocate to a non-designated bog and progress is being made in that task despite the complexities involved.

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