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Turbary Rights.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005

Wednesday, 26 January 2005

Questions (1306, 1307, 1308, 1309)

Denis Naughten

Question:

1375 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top-up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1901/05]

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Written answers

My Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress in July 2004. A major part of this agreement involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation. The new rates are deemed to reflect the increase in the value of bogs since the original scheme was launched in March 1999.

The new rates include a scaled incentive payment up to a maximum of €6,000, additional to the rate per acre for purchase of bog or turbary. For people whose bogs were statutorily proposed for designation prior to 1999 and who have already sold to the Department, it was agreed that the new additional scaled incentive payment would be applied retrospectively, with the previous €1,270 —£1,000 — bonus, where already paid, being deducted. My Department is at present examining the entitlement of the persons named to an additional payment under this provision of the agreement.

Denis Naughten

Question:

1376 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top-up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1902/05]

View answer

My Department provides compensation for persons who cease to cut turf, and who are owners of land or turbary rights in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation as a special area of conservation or a natural heritage area. This cessation of turf cutting scheme was originally launched in March 1999 and provided standard rates for the purchase of raised and blanket bog. In July 2004 my Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress which provided for increased rates of compensation payable under the scheme.

I am advised that the land owned by the person named was sold voluntarily to the Department in 1996 before the introduction of the cessation of turf cutting scheme. As this land was not disposed of under the scheme, no entitlement to any further payments applies.

Denis Naughten

Question:

1377 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top-up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1903/05]

View answer

Denis Naughten

Question:

1379 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top-up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1905/05]

View answer

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1377 and 1379 together.

My Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress in July 2004. A major part of this agreement involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation. The new rates are deemed to reflect the increase in the value of bogs since the original scheme was launched in March 1999.

The new rates include a scaled incentive payment up to a maximum of €6,000, additional to the rate per acre for purchase of bog or turbary. For people whose bogs were statutorily proposed for designation prior to 1999 and who have already sold to the Department, it was agreed that the new scaled additional incentive payment would be applied retrospectively, with the previous €1,270 —£1,000 — bonus, where already paid, being deducted.

I am advised that both persons named are in this pre-1999 category and are due to receive payments, which will issue shortly in each case.

Question No. 1378 answered with QuestionNo. 1349.
Question No. 1379 answered with QuestionNo. 1377.
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