Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2013
63. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed ineligible for the turf cutting and compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43865/13]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was received by my Department on 23 August 2013 from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;
- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;
- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
I am advised that, on the application form, the applicant has indicated that he had not been cutting turf on the bog plot in question during the relevant five year period. However, he has indicated that he has inherited the bog plot. My Department is investigating this matter further and will be in contact with the applicant as soon as possible in relation to his application.
