Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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255. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has estimated the number of persons who continue to cut turf on bogs here for domestic heating or the number of individual private holdings on bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5375/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I am advised that my Department has not estimated the number of persons who continue to cut turf on bogs for domestic heating or the number of individual private holdings on bogs. I would note however that there are many non designated bogs and these are outwith the ambit of the designations overseen by this Department.

My Department administers the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, which was established in 2011, applicable to those who had been cutting turf on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation. The scheme was extended in 2014 to include those who had been cutting turf on 36 raised bog natural heritage areas. This scheme is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a payment of €500 on the signing of a legal agreement under the scheme. 

 There are in the region of 2,600 qualifying applicants in the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme.