Written answers

Tuesday, 9 May 2017

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

National Raised Bog Management Plan

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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347. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the rewetting of midland bogs. [21886/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s 53 raised bog special areas of conservation are primarily located in the midlands. The National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 2017-2022, due to be published in the coming period subject to Government approval, will set out how these raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored.

In November 2015 the European Commission approved funding for a €5.4m project under the EU LIFE 2014-2020 programme for the restoration of active raised bog in 12 special area of conservation sites in Ireland. This project, which will operate for 5 years, commenced in January 2016 and is being implemented by a project team who will work closely with local communities and stakeholders in advance of the restoration works commencing. My Department will oversee the project and contribute to its funding.

Outside of the 12 project sites, a restoration programme for the other raised bog special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas will be implemented on a phased basis taking into account a number of factors such as contribution to the national conservation targets for protected raised bog habitats, ownership matters and restoration requirements.

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