Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2014
190. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the application to the turf cutting compensation scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44430/14]
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 payments of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2012) and €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) have been made to this applicant. In addition, a once-off payment of €500 has been made to the applicant in respect of the signing of a legal agreement under this scheme.
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.
My Department has written to the applicant outlining that the qualifying criteria have not been met and he does not qualify for compensation under the scheme. The applicant has also been informed of the Departmental review and appeal procedures open to him in the event that he disagrees with this decision.
