Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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546. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the cessation of the turf-cutting compensation scheme will complete its 15-year duration in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44096/24]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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547. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the payments made to any person participating in the turf-cutting compensation scheme in year 1, year 2, and so on, up to the 15-year period, given that the scheme was index-linked over the 15-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44097/24]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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548. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if, following the cessation of the turf-cutting compensation scheme, CTCCS, he will introduce a new scheme to compensate the participants of the finished CTCCS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44098/24]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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549. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the 15-year cessation of turf-cutting compensation scheme contract between his Department and the plot owner is expired, if there is any reason why the turf plot owner cannot resume cutting turf on their plot of land which was in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44099/24]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 546, 547, 548 and 549 together.

The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS) was launched in 2011 as an annual payment scheme, from date of legal cessation for 15 years, to compensate households affected by the restriction on turf cutting for domestic use on raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). It was later extended to include Natural Heritage Areas (NHA). It 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. The rate of compensation for 2024 is €1,839.

The 15-year payment schedule under the Scheme for a certain number of SACs with a legal date of cessation of 2011 is as follows:

Payments under the CTCCS began on the year of cessation 2011 and 2012 depending on the SAC the applicant applied on and from 2014 to 2017 for NHAs depending on year of application.

Next year, 2025, will mark the 15th year of payment under the scheme for a certain number of SACs. The full list of SACs/NHAs covered by the CTCCS can be found on the application form for the scheme, which can be accessed at the following link:

www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/files/cessation-of-turf-cutting-scheme-application-form.pdf

This list shows the year cessation came into effect on the particular SAC/NHA.

The environment has changed considerably since the conception of the CTCCS. My Department is considering, in light of emerging policies, a new phase of support for existing scheme applicants. Once my Department has fully considered this it will inform those eligible applicants.

The SACs under the CTCCS are included in European Sites as defined by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011 ("the 2011 Regulations"). The cutting of turf (being an operation or activity mentioned in a notification issued under Regulation 12 of the 2011 Regulations) may not be carried out or caused to be carried out or continued to be carried out on these plots by any person save in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 28 of the 2011 Regulations or with the consent of the relevant authority.

The NHA’s under the CTCCS are designated by a Natural Heritage Area order under Section 18(1) of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000, as amended (“the Act of 2000”). Peat extraction (being a type of work specified in a Natural Heritage Area order for the purposes of Section 19(1) of the Act of 2000) may not be carried out or caused to be carried out or permitted to be carried out or continued to be carried out on the property by any person save in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 of the Act of 2000 or with the consent of the relevant authority.

As such, in accordance with legislation restrictions on turf cutting activity on the raised bog SACs and NHAs remain.

My Department also administers the Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme (PRBRIS) on within raised bog SACs/NHAs covered by the CTCCS.

This is a once off area based compensation and land purchase scheme. The scheme is open to applications from eligible property right holders who wish to have their lands included as part of the restoration scheme or where access is required for restoration works within raised bog SACs/NHAs. Those who have not qualified for CTCCS payments may be eligible for PRBRIS.

More information and how to apply is available at the following link:

www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting/protected-raised-bog-restoration-incentive-scheme-prbris

€1,500 per annum, index linked

2025 Consumer Price Index amount pending