asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the grants available to those wishing to improve bog roads bearing in mind the contribution which turf can make to the resolution of our energy problems.
13.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Bog Road Grants.
12.
asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the grants available for the drainage of bogs.
14.
asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the percentage grants that are available to improve bog roads.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 13 and 14 together.
Funds are available through the Vote for my Department to provide grant assistance towards the costs of access roads to bogs and bog drainage, including outfall drainage. The grants are available under a scheme which was introduced under the Turf Development Act, 1981, and which is administered by Bord na Móna.
Under the scheme persons who wish to develop a bog for the production of turf products for fuel may apply to Bord na Móna for a development grant towards the cost of access roads to the bog, as well as the costs of bog drainage and the purchase, lease or hire of turf development equipment. In general each application must be accompanied by a bog development plan. The amount of the grant may be up to 60 per cent of the cost of the bog development where the applicant is a qualified group or a qualified society, as defined in the Act, and up to 45 per cent in any other case.
I understand that grants are also available under schemes administered by the Department of the Environment for the improvement of non-public roads and from Roinn na Gaeltachta for certain roads in Gaeltacht areas. These grants are not specifically designed to aid bog road development but they have in the past been used for this purpose. The extent to which grants may be available under these schemes is taken into account in determining the amount of any grant available under the scheme administered by Bord na Móna.
Could the Minister tell me whether, in regard to private individuals who in the past owned bogs or had turbary rights, there has been a considerable fall-off in the amount of turf cut by such individuals, as opposed to larger groups, in recent years? If so, does he consider it to be a bad thing and that steps should be taken to try to reverse that pattern?
I am aware that the amount of turf cut by private individuals in the traditional fashion has declined over the last ten years or so.
Has the Minister any figures on that?
I have not the figures here, but am aware from my own knowledge in my constituency. The Act which was introduced in 1981 has been availed of by private individuals and by private individuals coming together in societies to form co-operatives. The new system of turf cutting, where turf can be cut on the plough system over open land, has enabled people again to win fuel. This will become increasingly obvious in the next year or so.
Would the Minister accept that there should be a major drive to encourage the cutting of turf by individuals from the point of view of our balance of payments, the high cost of oil, coal and so on and as part of that drive that there should be funds directly available for the improvement of access roads? In effect, the old bog road will then become meaningful in Irish life again.
Nothing succeeds like success. Those who have availed of the 60 per cent grant, which in any language is quite generous, will encourage others in the immediate area and further afield to avail of this type of grant and develop bogs which have lain uncut for quite a number of years.
Finally, would the Minister accept that the scheme to which he refers is more applicable to a major operation and would hardly apply to the smallholder in the west of Ireland or in west Cork with perhaps only a few acres of bog or, indeed, only a turbary right?
I have seen the present scheme operating in regard to people owning quite small quantities of turf. When speaking about new access roads and the old bog road, it is hardly likely that one individual cutting turf could avail of improvements there. It would be to everyone's advantage to come together to improve access roads and provide access to a bog in those cases.
The Minister will be continuing on the Act?
Yes.
Have there been many applications under this new scheme introduced in 1981 for the improvement of bog roads and of drainage to bogs?
I asked this question before coming into the House and have not the information available. That is something which I would like to know for my own benefit. I am aware of individual applications being made in my own constituency, but am sure that there are many more. I will arrange with the Minister to let the Deputy know.
I would be amazed if there was——
A question Deputy, please.
In view of the substantially higher rate of grant available from the local authorities for the improvement of bog roads and drainage, I would be amazed if there was any application under the 1981 scheme.
The Deputy should ask a question.
I should like to ask the Minister if he envisages having this grant increased substantially from 60 per cent to 90 per cent, which amount can be got under the local improvements scheme operated by the local authorities for the improvement of bog roads and drainage.
At the moment grants operated by local authorities under the local improvements scheme range from 40 per cent to 100 per cent of the cost depending on the valuation of the land holders.
If you can get them.
If the local authorities have the money.
In view of the fact——
I am sorry, Deputy. I am not allowing any more supplementaries.