Skip to main content
Normal View

Turbary Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 July 2012

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Questions (411)

Denis Naughten

Question:

417 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of alternative bogs which have been sourced for turf cutters forced to relocate; the location of each bog; the number of turf cutters who can be accommodated; if works have to be performed on the bogs to facilitate turf cutting; when it is envisaged to carry these works out in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36359/12]

View answer

Written answers

Arrangements for the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs have been made as regards a group from Clara Bog in County Offaly and a group from Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog Special Areas of Conservation in County Galway. These arrangements involve the groups moving to nearby bogs, with the group from Clara Bog having commenced turf cutting at the relocation site in Killeranny, County Offaly in June last. Progress has been made with a view to the relocation of qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog Special Area of Conservation in County Kildare in a similar manner.

26 qualifying turf cutters have been accommodated at the relocation site in Killeranny. It is envisaged that more will be accommodated at the site for the 2013 cutting season.

60 applicants for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme from Carrownagappul Bog Special Area of Conservation, 18 applicants from Curraghlehanagh Bog Special Area of Conservation, and 28 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog Special Area of Conservation have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs.

Works have to be carried out on the relocation sites for the group from Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog Special Areas of Conservation and for the group fromBallynafagh Bog Special Area of Conservation. My Department envisages that qualifying turf cutters will be able to relocate to the sites for the 2013 cutting season.

Work is ongoing with regard to investigating and assessing potential relocation sites for turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation.

I would also draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that the latest figures indicate that of 2,275 applications received in my Department for compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme, some 730 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation.

Top
Share