Vol. 407 No. 6
32 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Energy if he has any plans to reintroduce grants for small bog development as this grant enabled a large number of bog owners to utilise their bogs and the scheme would be of immense benefit to bog owners in the harvesting of native fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have no plans to reintroduce a scheme of grants for the development of private bogs. The previous scheme, which was introduced under the Turf Development Act, 1981, and terminated in 1987, served the purpose of stimulating the development of private peat resources very successfully, to the extent that private production now amounts to some 1.5 million tonnes annually.
At a time when there is a continued need for discipline in the public finances, I do not think that it would be appropriate to dedicate further Exchequer funding to this purpose. I am confident that the private peat production industry will continue to thrive and that it will continue to make a valuable contribution to meeting Ireland's fuel requirements.
