Michael Ring
Question:209 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if farmers can be individually notified and visited to explain the implications of the designation of SACs on their lands. [18870/00]
Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.
The position is that section 4 of S.I. 94 of 1997 provides that certain notification procedures be undertaken by Dúchas in relation to the designation of proposed special areas of conservation pSAC.
In summary every effort is made to locate the address of, and notify in writing, every occupier-owner of land in a pSAC. Such notification includes details of compensation arrangements, details of appeals mechanisms, a description of the site as well as a detailed map of the site.
In addition, advertisements appear in the local press detailing the townlands affected by the designations, together with contact names and telephone numbers of conservation rangers who may be contacted for further clarification. Any farmer who wishes to discuss these proposals should contact the local conservation ranger who will arrange an appropriate time to visit. Maps of the pSAC's are also displayed in one or more local Garda Síochána stations, local authority offices, and local offices of the following Departments: Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (including offices of Teagasc, the farm advisory service).
I have also encouraged the establishment of local liaison committees consisting of landowners in the designated SAC's to facilitate further consultation on a local basis.
Michael Ring
Question:210 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if Dúchas will offer compensation to farmers who cannot develop their properties due to a designated SAC, in lieu of losses incurred. [18871/00]
I have submitted a draft compensation scheme to the EU Commission for their agreement and I am expecting their reply shortly. Under this proposed scheme farmers will be compensated for actual losses which arise from the designation of their lands as SACs. This compensation scheme will apply to farmers who are not in the voluntary rural environment protection scheme and who enter into a management agreement with Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department.