Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

694. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the family of a person (details supplied) who applied for compensation under the turf cutting compensation scheme will qualify for compensation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7726/19]

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

An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. With respect to 53 raised bog special areas of conservation 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 31 December 2011;

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

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

A letter was issued from my Department requesting further information in relation to the application. I am advised also that officials from my Department have recently been in contact with a view to progressing the case.

My Department will be in a position to further process the application when the information requested has been received.