Written answers

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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653. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41864/19]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha 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 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 25 May 2010 in respect of the 29 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999 and up to 31 December 2011 in respect of the 24 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation in 2002);

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

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

Following processing of the application and various correspondence with the applicant, an annual payment under the scheme issued for the year 2019 on 26 August 2019.

Under the scheme, annual payments are made to qualifying applicants, who apply in years later than the start date, for previous years as well as for the current year. 

My Department is prioritising the payment of annual payments under the scheme for 2019. The position in relation to payments for previous years will be reviewed subsequently.

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