Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
1149. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 931 of 18 September 2012, the reason payment only issued for two years (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41914/14]
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 (2012) and a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) have been made to this applicant. Payments of €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) are currently being processed for the applicant and a number of other applicants in similar circumstances.
Following a request made to my Department, a scientific review of the site, in which the applicant has an interest, was undertaken to explore the possibility that turf extraction could continue in certain areas while also allowing for the conservation of the raised bog habitat within the site. The results of this review have determined that turf cutting can be consented to in certain areas of the site but cannot be permitted in other parts. The site is quite unusual as a raised bog special area of conservation and the particular hydrological context allows for limited turf extraction while not compromising the conservation of the threatened habitat on the site. This is exceptional and is not the case with most other special areas of conservation.
My Department is considering the implications of this review for applicants such as the one referred to in the Deputy’s Question and will be in contact with such applicants in due course.
