Written answers

Thursday, 14 January 2016

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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246. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is acceptable that a person (details supplied) in County Galway is waiting over 20 months for a decision on an appeal for compensation to the Peatlands Council; the steps she is taking to address this; if it is acceptable that this appeal, after going before the Council again on 1 October 2015, has been postponed until 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1614/16]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Applicants to the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, administered by my Department, may 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.While the terms of reference in relation to the Peatlands Council’s appeals function have been agreed between the Council and myself, as Minister, the operation of the appeals function is a matter for the Council itself.

I am advised that, following agreement on these terms of reference in January 2015, the Appeals Sub Group of the Peatlands Council considered the appeal on 19 February 2015, 1 April 2015, 22 June 2015 and 19 August 2015.

The Appeals Sub Group reported to the Peatlands Council on this case on 28 April 2015 and 1 October 2015. The Secretary of the Council wrote to the appellant in October last seeking his consent to request relevant documentation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This documentation was subsequently received from that Department.

I understand that the Appeals Sub Group considered the appeal further on 7 January 2016 and determined the recommendation it will make to the Peatlands Council.

I am advised it is intended that the Peatlands Council will hold its next meeting in early February 2016 and the recommendation of the Appeals Sub Group will be considered at that meeting with a view to finalisation of this appeal.

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