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Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Questions (24, 35, 114, 115)

Denis Naughten

Question:

24. 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 number of turf cutters that have been accommodated; the number that will be accommodated before the commencement of the 2013 turf cutting season; the number of persons who will not be accommodated by the commencement of the 2013 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4265/13]

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Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

35. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the progress made to date of the alternatives offered to turf cutters on special areas of conservation bogs, that is the uptake of compensation, free turf deliveries and any relocation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54588/12]

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Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

114. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding turf cutting and the cessation of same, the number of persons under the previous compensation schemes that have yet to be paid at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4607/13]

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Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

115. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 23 January 2013, if he will provide the number of those who expressed an interest in relocation who qualified under the criteria of the scheme for relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4608/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 35, 114 and 115 together.

As the Deputies are aware, the payment of €1,500 per annum, index linked, or the delivery of cut turf, is now available, under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, to qualifying turf cutters while awaiting relocation to non-designated bogs. Of the 2,586 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme received and acknowledged by my Department to date, 766 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. A total of 2,142 payments and 194 deliveries of turf have been made to date in respect of the applications received.

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 SACs 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, where 23 qualifying turf cutters have now been accommodated. Agreement has been reached between my Department and the group of turf cutters from Carrownagappul and Curraghlehanagh Bogs that necessary infrastructure development works will be carried out this year in the relocation site in preparation for turf cutting. The commencement of cutting depends on the ground settling following these works and I understand that cutting will commence here in 2014.

Progress has also been made with a view to the relocation in a similar manner of qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog SAC in County Kildare. My Department envisages that qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog will be able to commence turf cutting in a relocation site during the forthcoming turf cutting season. In total, 70 applicants from Carrownagappul Bog, 19 applicants from Curraghlehanagh Bog and 28 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. I am advised that of the remaining 49 raised bog SACs, potential relocation sites have been identified for a further 31 bogs and work is ongoing on identifying and investigating these. Relocation is unlikely to be required, or is likely to be small-scale, for another 15 raised bog SACs due, for example, to the small number of turf cutters that have been active on these sites.

The Deputies will appreciate that relocation is a very complex process, in terms of investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity, the infrastructure/drainage works required, establishing the number who can be accommodated on the site, the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease, and possible planning and Environmental Impact Assessment requirements. Accordingly, it will only be possible to bring this process to a conclusion over time in respect of all the relocation sites. It is not possible to indicate, therefore, when exactly additional turf cutters can be accommodated at any of these sites over and above the specific cases already mentioned.

With regard to the issue of applicants being qualified for relocation, the process of assessing applications is being carried forward by officials in my Department. Deputies will appreciate that assessment and verification of applications is a complex process. My officials are continuing to work closely with turf cutters, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (as successors of the Land Commission), Bord na Móna and other organisations to assist people to provide the necessary proof of legal interest with their applications.

With regard to persons awaiting payment under previous compensation schemes, I assume that the Question in this regard is referring to applicants from raised bog SACs. Such applicants had been informed that they could, if they wished, transfer from the former voluntary bog purchase scheme to the new compensation scheme established by my Department for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog SACs. This would, of course allow applicants to retain ownership of their land holding or rights, while availing of compensation. Over 140 applicants have availed of this option to date and I am advised that of the order of 250 further applications remain under consideration in my Department at this time.

Overall, given the magnitude of the challenges involved, I am satisfied that the vast majority of active turf cutters are engaging positively with the schemes put in place by the Government to ensure that Ireland meets its obligations to protect these important areas, while ensuring that the needs of turf cutters are met appropriately.

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