Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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495. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a scheme (details supplied) is still accepting applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29322/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to include raised bog natural heritage areas. This scheme is applicable to turf cutters who have been affected by the designation of raised bogs as special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas and who fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme. It 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 payment of €500 on the signing of a legal agreement under the scheme.

Applications for this scheme are still being accepted by my Department.

There are 53 raised bog SACs and 36 raised bog NHAs encompassed by the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme; if the individual’s bog plot referred to in the question is located within one of these designated areas and the other qualifying criteria of the scheme are met, they may qualify for compensation under the scheme.

Officials from my Department are available to provide detailed information of the compensation scheme and the relevant application form.