I propose to take Questions Nos. 1377 and 1379 together.
My Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress in July 2004. A major part of this agreement involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation. The new rates are deemed to reflect the increase in the value of bogs since the original scheme was launched in March 1999.
The new rates include a scaled incentive payment up to a maximum of €6,000, additional to the rate per acre for purchase of bog or turbary. For people whose bogs were statutorily proposed for designation prior to 1999 and who have already sold to the Department, it was agreed that the new scaled additional incentive payment would be applied retrospectively, with the previous €1,270 —£1,000 — bonus, where already paid, being deducted.
I am advised that both persons named are in this pre-1999 category and are due to receive payments, which will issue shortly in each case.