Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2018
476. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision on a site visit regarding a cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme application by a person (details supplied) will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18604/18]
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 question.
With respect to 36 raised bog natural heritage area sites, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are as follows:
The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right (right to cut turf)) in one of these sites on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on that date;
the applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period up to 14 January 2014;
the turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; 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.
I am advised that an inspection of the plot of bog in respect of which the applicant has applied for compensation is scheduled to be undertaken shortly. My Department will be in a position to further process the application when this inspection has been completed.
