Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
410. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of payments made under the voluntary bog purchase scheme in each year since 2008; the total amount paid in each year since 2008 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23738/16]
View answer411. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the procedures in place for persons who had applied under the voluntary bog purchase scheme before it was closed in 2010 and whose applications were never finalised; the arrangements in place to deal with the applications that were on hand at that time; the number involved; when these will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23739/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.
In 1999, a voluntary bog purchase scheme was introduced under which domestic turf cutters could sell their plots at agreed rates. These rates were subsequently increased in 2004, following agreement with the farming organisations under the Partnership talks. In May 2010, the then Government announced the closure of the voluntary bog purchase scheme to new applicants. At that time, the Government agreed that the applications on hand under the scheme would be completed, subject to contract.
There are approximately 398 applications on hand under the voluntary bog purchase scheme. My Department is continuing to process applications in line with the available resources.
As an alternative to proceeding with their applications under the voluntary bog purchase scheme, applicants were also given the opportunity to transfer to the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme (qualifying applicants under this scheme receive €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years or relocation to a non-designated bog, where feasible, together with a once-off legal agreement payment of €500).
Over €10 million has been paid since 2008 under the voluntary bog purchase scheme in respect of bog plots or turbary rights in designated peatland areas purchased by my Department. Table 1 shows the number of payments made under the scheme in each year since 2008. Table 2 shows the total amount paid in each year since 2008 under the scheme.
Table 1: Number of payments made to applicants under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme
|
Year |
Number of Payments* |
|
2008 |
280 |
|
2009 |
20 |
|
2010 |
19 |
|
2011 |
6 |
|
2012 |
8 |
|
2013 |
20 |
|
2014 |
11 |
|
2015 |
13 |
|
2016 |
6 |
* The number of payments made reflects the balance of payments due for an individual applicant’s purchase case. Other payments (e.g. a deposit or a contribution to legal fees) may also have issued to certain applicants - in some cases in the previous year or the following year.
Table 2: Total amount paid to applicants under the Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme
|
Year |
Total amount paid |
|
2008 |
€6,377,985 |
|
2009 |
€669,434 |
|
2010 |
€865,111 |
|
2011 |
€405,766 |
|
2012 |
€422,702 |
|
2013 |
€760,878 |
|
2014 |
€326,828 |
|
2015 |
€518,056 |
|
2016 |
€157,247 |
