Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2019
283. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the delay in the processing of a compensation payment for a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42491/19]
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. With respect to 53 raised bog special area of conservation sites, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- 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 25 May 2010 in respect of the 29 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999 and up to 31 December 2011 in respect of the 24 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation in 2002);
- The turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
I have been advised that an annual payment for 2019 under the scheme for the applicant has been approved and he should receive his payment in the coming weeks.
