The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the raised bog special areas of conservation or natural heritage areas – 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, at this stage, 99 applicants have been informed by my Department that they do not fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme. Of these, nine have applied for an internal review of their case. Five cases have been reviewed and the applicants have been advised of the outcome of the review. Four cases are awaiting review.