Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

679. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the payments under the voluntary bog purchase scheme for each quarter from 2010 to date in 2018; the number of payments in each quarter; the county covered by each of these payments in each of these quarters; the date on which the application was made by the applicant in respect of each payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53000/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 1999, a voluntary bog purchase scheme was introduced under which domestic turf cutters could sell their plots at agreed rates. These rates were subsequently increased in 2004, following agreement with the farming organisations under the Partnership talks. In May 2010, the then Government announced the closure of the voluntary bog purchase scheme to new applicants. At that time, the Government agreed that the applications on hand under the scheme would be completed, subject to contract.

Over €4.48 million has been paid since 2010 under the voluntary bog purchase scheme in respect of bog plots or turbary rights in designated peatland areas purchased by my Department.

The table below shows the number of payments made under the scheme in each year since 2010 by quarter, county and date of application. It also shows the total amount paid in each year under this scheme since 2010.