Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2016
598. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a decision on an application for a turf cutting cessation compensation grant in respect of bog designated as an natural heritage area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4460/16]
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.
The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 36 raised bog 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.
My Department is examining the application in view of the qualifying criteria for the scheme. As part of my Department’s verification procedures, the applicant has been requested to forward information demonstrating his legal interest in the plot to which his application relates. I am advised that an inspection of this plot of bog is also to be undertaken.
Once this information is supplied, my Department will be in a position to process his application further.
