Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1375. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the difference between raised bog and Atlantic lowland blanket bog under the definitions set out in the basic payment and the areas of natural constraints schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34882/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The 2015 “Guide to Land Eligibility” sets out that non-agricultural area is not eligible land for the purposes of the Basic payment Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme. Raised bog is not considered to be agricultural area and is therefore not eligible for payment under these schemes.

Blanket bog can be considered as agricultural area and is eligible for payment, provided it is in a state suitable for grazing and there is evidence of an agricultural activity during the year of the claim and the other scheme conditions are met. In all cases, the area must be reduced to take account of ineligible features in the parcel e.g, scrub, wet areas, fenced off areas, etc.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1376. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if boglands suitable for grazing are eligible under the basic payment and areas of natural constraints schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34883/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Any land which is considered as agricultural area and is in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation and is used for an agricultural activity in the year of a claim is eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, provided all other scheme conditions are met.

Blanket bog may be considered as agricultural area and be eligible for payment provided other scheme conditions are met. Raised bog, however, is considered as non-agricultural area and therefore is not eligible land.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1377. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if boglands that show evidence of grazing are eligible under the basic payment and areas of natural constraints schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34884/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In order to be eligible land under the Basic Payment Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, the land must be agricultural area. Blanket bog can be considered as agricultural area and, where the land is in a state suitable for grazing and there is evidence of grazing in the year of the claim, the area can be considered as eligible.

Raised bog, however, is considered as non-agricultural area and therefore is never considered as eligible, whether used for turf production or not, under the Basic Payment Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme.