Enda Kenny
Question:66 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Energy if he will restore the scheme of grants for improvement of bog access and development, operated formerly by Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Vol. 417 No. 2
66 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Energy if he will restore the scheme of grants for improvement of bog access and development, operated formerly by Bord na Móna; 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 purpose of the previous scheme, which was introduced under the 1981 Turf Development Act and terminated in 1987, was to stimulate the development of private peat resources. It did so very successfully, to the extent that private turf production now amounts to approximately 1.5 million tonnes per year.