Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2014
212. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her officials have examined an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme; the payments that have issued since year one of 15 to the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37586/14]
View answerAn application for compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2011) has been made to this applicant. 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.
Following an inspection by officials of my Department of the plot of bog in respect of which the applicant has applied for compensation, it appears that a supply of turf had not been cut on the land in question during the relevant five year period.
The application has been reviewed within my Department and arrangements will be made to meet with the applicant to discuss his case as soon as possible.
