Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the process in place to support landowners in reaching a compensation agreement with a company (details supplied) in the event of power lines being brought through their property. [29814/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Under the Electricity Act 1927 (as amended), landowners are entitled to compensation for any electricity lines placed across their lands.  The ESB/IFA Code of Practice (1985) sets out the basis on which landowners are compensated for any loss taking account of crop loss, land damage, loss of development rights and disturbance.

The agreement between EirGrid/ESB Networks and the IFA (2009) provides for payments to landowners who cooperate with the build programme to facilitate timely construction of infrastructure. These are staged payments to reflect progress of the build.

A once-off proximity payment will be made to the owners of occupied residential properties (or sites with planning permission for residential units) within a 200 metre corridor of new transmission lines.

In addition, ESB Networks manage a system of annual payments for farmers where their normal farming practices are affected by the presence of electricity infrastructure on their lands.

In the ‘Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure’ published in July 2012 it was proposed the incorporation of a community gain consideration for major infrastructure projects. 

Reflecting this policy, EirGrid have recently piloted a Community Fund for the Mullingar-Kinnegad project which involved a range of social, community and sports organisations securing funding.

EirGrid and ESB Networks continue to engage with the IFA and other relevant stakeholders in relation to new and existing infrastructure at all voltage levels.