Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when compensation for the cessation of turf cutting for a person (details supplied) will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10300/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. With respect to 36 raised bog natural heritage area sites, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:

The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right (right to cut turf)) in one of these sites on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on that date;

The applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period up to 14 January 2014;

The turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; and

No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.

My Department is examining the application in view of the qualifying criteria for the scheme. I am advised that an inspection of the plot of bog in respect of which the applicant has applied for compensation is to be undertaken. My Department will be in a position to further process the application when this inspection has been completed.