Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
714. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of turf cutters who received a compensation payment and turf respectively for the 2011 turf cutting season; the number of these persons who have received a compensation payment and turf respectively for the 2012 season; when the outstanding payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17312/13]
View answerTo date, 2,668 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme have been received and acknowledged by my Department. A total of 596 payments have been made to applicants in respect of 2011 and 1,596 payments and 205 deliveries of turf in respect of 2012. Details of the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme figures, on a bog by bog basis, are available on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at http://www.npws.ie/peatlandsturf-cutting/turfcutting/compensationschemestatistics/.
For the Deputy’s convenience the details are set out at Appendix 1.
Payments and turf deliveries have been made on the basis that applicants have indicated in their application forms that they fulfil all the qualifying criteria of the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme. My Department has been checking, and will be continuing to check, that all such criteria have been met in each case.
My Department is considering the position of those who have applied for compensation but do not appear to fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme for a variety of reasons and will be writing to all such applicants in relation to their position in due course.
