Frank Feighan
Question:310 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a person (details supplied) will be entitled to qualify under the new compensation scheme. [15091/12]
View answerWednesday, 21 March 2012
Questions (299)
Written answers
The individual referred to in the Deputy's question has applied to sell his interest in land in a raised bog special area of conservation under the voluntary bog purchase scheme, which is administered by my Department. A letter of offer for the purchase of the land has issued from my Department. However, no contracts for sale have been signed. I am advised that processing of applications on hand under this scheme has been slower than anticipated, due to capacity constraints in undertaking the work involved.
In 2011 the Government announced a compensation scheme for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and has recently agreed to enhance this compensation package. The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme now consists of a payment of €1,500 per year, index linked, for 15 years or, where feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The costs of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. An additional once-off payment of €500 for qualifying turf cutters will be provided this year where legal agreements are signed with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Where applicants under the voluntary bog purchase scheme have not received a letter of offer, or have received a letter of offer but contracts have not been signed, my Department will write to them to outline their options under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme. The requirement that applicants for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme must have been cutting turf on the lands in question during the relevant five year period will not apply to applicants under the voluntary bog purchase scheme who wish to transfer to the new compensation scheme.