Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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826. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of recipients of compensation for the non-cutting of turf in Barrougher, SAC bog in County Galway and Moonveenlagh, SAC bog in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37402/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS) was established in 2011 for domestic turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and was extended in 2014 to include domestic turf cutters affected from raised bog Natural Heritage Areas. The Scheme comprises a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off legal agreement payment of €500.

There are 96 turf cutters in receipt of compensation under the CTCCS from Barroughter Bog Special Area of Conservation in County Galway and 37 turf cutters in receipt of compensation under the CTCCS from Moonveenlagh Bog Special Area of Conservation County Kerry.

Department schemes such as the CTCCS and the Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme are part of a package of measures developed in response to infringement proceedings against Ireland by the European Commission regarding the protection and conservation of raised bog SACs.