Vol. 525 No. 2
756 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Mayo should proceed with his claim for compensation in view of the fact that the decision on the SAC/NHA designation of his lands is completed. [23831/00]
My Department's draft scheme of compensation payments for losses from designation of Natura 2000 sites provides that: "a fair level of compensation shall be paid, having regard to the level and extent of restriction and all reasonable losses arising as a result of SPA-SAC designation and to the difference between the value pre-designation for environmental purposes and the subsequent value of the land consequent on designation as an SPA/SAC".
I am still awaiting formal approval for this scheme from the EU Commission but if the person referred to considers that compensation is due because his use of his land has been restricted, he should contact the Dúchas regional manager for his area, in this case: Dr. Noel Kirby, Connemara National Park, Letterfrack, County Galway.
This first contact must be in writing, that is, by letter or fax. It may be necessary to draw up a farm plan as a basis for assessing compensation but this will be discussed with the applicant once that first contact has been made.
