Written Answers Nos. 121-138
121. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad iad na pleananna atá ar bun ag an Roinn chun cúiteamh a thabhairt do chuideachtaí bus agus cuideachtaí eile sa Ghaeltacht a chaill amach ar ioncam de bharr na coláistí samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht a bheith curtha ar ceal i mbliana da bharr Covid-19; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29663/20]
View answerNíl aon scéim ná clár ag mo Roinn chun tacaíocht ná cúiteamh a thabhairt do chuideachtaí iompair ná cuideachtaí eile a chaill amach ar ioncam de bharr na coláistí samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht a bheith curtha ar ceal i mbliana da bharr COVID-19. Níor mhiste do chuideachtaí dá réir, mura bhfuil déanta cheana féin, leas a bhaint as an raon tacaíochtaí ábhartha atá á gcur ar fáil ar bhonn lárnach ag an Stát a chuimsíonn tacaíochta sa réimse fostaíochta.
Mar a bhaineann sé leis na ceantair Ghaeltachta, is féidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta raon dreasachtaí agus tacaíochtaí a thairiscint do ghnólachtaí agus do chuideachtaí incháilithe i réimse earnálacha sna ceantair Ghaeltachta.
Tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag dul i ngleic leis na dúshláin reatha agus ag obair as lámh a chéile le Ranna Rialtais agus Gníomhaireachtaí ábhartha eile i rith an ama chun a chinntiú go mbainfidh a chliant comhlachtaí leas as an raon tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil ón Stát. Sa chomhthéacs sin, is fiú dom a threisiú go bhfuil teagmháil leanúnach ar bun idir oifigigh mo Roinne agus Údarás na Gaeltachta chun a chinntiú go bhfuil na tacaíochtaí sin ag feidhmiú mar is cuí agus chun brúphointí airgeadais a mhaolú.
Tá Údarás na Gaeltacha ag obair go dlúth le Fiontraíocht Éireann chomh maith le cinntiú go bhfuil scéimeanna tacaíochta an fhorais stáit sin ar fáil do ghnólachtaí Gaeltachta go díreach tríd an Údarás. Tá deontais agus dearbháin éagsúla ar fáil chun tacú le pleanáil airgeadais, leanúnachas gnó agus trádáil ar line, mar aon leis na cistí maoinithe agus tacaíochtaí eile atá curtha ar fáil ag an Rialtas, cosúil leis an Scéim Fóirdheontais Pá Fostaíochta.
Chomh maith leis sin, is féidir le gnólachtaí beaga ar fud na Gaeltachta iarratas a dhéanamh ar an Deontas Atosaithe faoina bhfuil maoiniú breise curtha ar fáil ag an Rialtas tríd na hÚdaráis Áitiúla. Cuidíonn an tacaíocht deontais go díreach do ghnólachtaí beaga leis na costais a bhaineann le hathoscailt agus le hathfhostú tar éis a bheith dúnta de bharr COVID-19. Is féidir an deontas seo a úsáid le costais sheasta a ghlanadh, m.sh. fóntais, árachas nó athstocáil agus le bearta sábháilteachta foirne agus custaiméirí a chur i bhfeidhm. Is féidir iarratas a dhéanamh ar an Deontas Atosaithe ar líne go díreach tríd na húdaráis áitiúla.
122. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider allocating increased funding to community sports clubs due to the decrease in revenue in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29703/20]
View answerIn recognition of the significant impact of Covid-19 on sporting organisations and clubs, a funding package of up to €70 million has been put in place to support the sector. The funding package, which will be administered by Sport Ireland, includes;
- Funding of up to €40m for the three main field sports organisations – the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU.
- a Resilience Fund of up to €10m to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport,
- a Sports Club Resilience Fund of up to €15m to support clubs, and
-a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund of up to €5m.
The funding will be invested through new grant schemes with Sport Ireland’s recognised funding partners, including the National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sporting organisations.
The closing date for applications to Sport Ireland under the COVID 19 grant schemes was September 14. I understand that a large number of applications was received. 39 National Governing Bodies applied on their own behalf or on behalf of their member clubs. Sport Ireland is currently processing and validating the applications. There is significant interest in each of the 4 strands of funding. The process will be complete by the end of October and an announcement on allocations will be made at that time.
123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to increase funding to the Arts Council in 2021; if she will provide details of the final Arts Council budget for 2020; if she is continuing to seek additional funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29768/20]
View answerPrimary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council, which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council received an additional €25 million in funding in 2020 in response to the pandemic, bringing it final 2020 allocation to €105 million. Among the measures delivered as a result of the extra funding are new and additional bursaries and commissions from the Arts Council, including supports for freelance artists and those looking to develop projects on a collaborative basis. Arts Council funding in 2020 has reached organisations and individuals never before funded by the Council.
The decision on the level of Arts Council funding in 2021 formed part of Budget 2021 and I am pleased to confirm that the Arts Council is to be allocated €130m next year, a record level of funding which acknowledges that devastating impact that COVID-19 restrictions have had on the sector.
124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to increase funding to Culture Ireland for the international promotion of writers from Ireland through translation, podcasts and virtual festivals providing new opportunities and income to writers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29769/20]
View answerMy Department, through Culture Ireland provides support the promotion of Irish literature worldwide. The main annual funding award is given to Literature Ireland, which in 2020 was awarded €290,000 to cover:
- literary translations grants for the translation of the work of Irish writers into other languages
- book fair attendance and hosting of Ireland's national stand, incorporating publisher representation at London, Beijing, Frankfurt and Turin book fairs
- support for the participation of leading Irish writers in all genres at showcases and festivals in a number of key territories, including a special focus around the St. Patrick’s Day period
- residential bursaries for literary translators in Ireland
- residential bursaries for Irish writers abroad
Due to the global health crisis throughout 2020, some book fairs have been postponed and this funding has been redirected by Literature Ireland to cover the high number of applications for translation grants which have been received.
Culture Ireland has adapted to the crisis by also making grants available for the virtual presentation of work to present their work to large global audiences. As part of the “Ireland Performs” initiative at the beginning of April 2020, Culture Ireland presented 120 performances across many art forms including literature.
Culture Ireland has also supported Irish writers to present at the Edinburgh International Book Festival which was delivered virtually this year as well as the presentation of Irish writers through podcasts curated by The European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies (EFACIS) which reached audiences from all over the globe.
I am conscious of the global interest in Irish writers and am committed to ongoing support both through the activities of Literature Ireland and direct travel support through Culture Ireland when circumstances permit in the future. In the meantime Culture Ireland has adapted its conditions of support to facilitate applications for virtual presentation of work by Irish writers globally and is open to accepting applications for global literature events in later 2020 and into 2021 to enable Irish writers to reach audiences worldwide.
125. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views in relation to investment being made in Irish language centres in towns and cities here (details supplied); and if she will ensure that the appropriate funding to such centres is included in budget 2021 for Foras na Gaeilge to distribute. [29814/20]
View answer132. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on whether investment should be made in Irish language centres in towns and cities nationally as has been done in Northern Ireland to give the language a focus in the community; if she will establish a fund to assist these centres to operate as recommended in the investment plan agreed by 80 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups; if the appropriate funding to fund such centres is included in budget 2021 for Foras na Gaeilge to distribute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29914/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 132 together.
The Programme for Government sets out a specific commitment regarding the development of Irish-language centres. It commits to:
"Promote the development of Irish Language Centres in Dublin and across the country, for a community-based approach to Irish-language promotion."
This commitment builds on those set out in the Government’s Action Plan for the Irish-language 2018-2022 (actions 4.12 and 4.13 specifically) and the National Development Plan 2018-2027 (Project Ireland 2040) in respect of Irish-language centres.
On a practical level, my Department supports the development of Irish-language centres through the Irish-language Support Schemes (Capital Programme), with an allocation of €632,000 for 2020.
The budgets for all Cross Border Bodies, including Foras na Gaeilge, are approved by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). This year, my Department will pay € 11,087,184 (75% of the gross budget approved by NSMC) to Foras na Gaeilge. It is intended that NSMC meetings will be held again shortly, at which time the 2017 - 2020 budgets will be approved and all aspects of the work of the Language Body will be discussed.
An indicative allocation for An Foras Teanga/The Languages Body (incorporating Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency) has been included in my Department's Estimate for 2021 and this will be the subject of further discussion with the Department for Communities in the north prior to the Languages Body's final allocation being agreed.
126. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration will be given to considering swimming lessons as essential education rather than a training or exercise class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29846/20]
View answerUnder the Roadmap for Resilience and Recovery the application of the public health advice measures to suppress the disease transmission is intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking an appropriate balance in:
- prioritising some activities over others, including health and social care services, education and other essential needs; whilst:
- protecting work and economic activity, and other key societal interests such as sports and important family gatherings, thereby allowing as much of society and business to continue as much as possible while continuing to make every effort to suppress the virus.
While public policy acknowledges that sport is central to societal well-being, in the context of the provisions set down under the Roadmap, it is not open to me to designate swimming lessons as equivalent to education or any other activity. Accordingly, the guidance as per training and exercise classes must apply.
127. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the advice and rules given to gym operators during the Covid-19 pandemic regarding their opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29877/20]
View answerIIn In May, 2020 an Expert Group on the Return to Sport was established to provide guidance to Ireland’s sporting bodies to prepare for the phased return to sporting activity in line with the Government guidance. This Group is chaired by my Department and includes medical experts from the Sport Ireland Institute and the sports sector, as well as officials from both my Department and Sport Ireland. The Group also contains a specific representation from the disability sport sector.
The guidance material that has issued via Sport Ireland from the Return to Sport Expert Group is available on Sport Ireland's website.
O In regard to gyms, the opening rules applicable to gym operators are those set out in the Government's National Framework for Living with COVID-19, published on 15 September 2020 i.e. for the currently prevailing Level 3, gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools may open but for individual training only. No organised Group Activity such as exercise classes or swimming lessons is permitted.
128. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if after ten years of reduced funding for Foras na Gaeilge she will provide an additional €4.5 million in budget 2021 to Foras na Gaeilge to fund the projects agreed by 80 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29910/20]
View answerThe budgets for all Cross Border Bodies, including An Foras Teanga, are approved by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). However, due to political circumstances in Northern Ireland, it has not been possible to hold NSMC meetings since mid-2016. Therefore, although the budgets for 2017 to 2020 have not yet been officially approved, from 2017, the Finance Departments in both jurisdictions have agreed that all Cross-Border Institutions would operate in accordance with the budgets approved by the NSMC for the year 2016.
This year, my Department will pay €11,087,184 (75% of the gross budget approved by NSMC) to Foras na Gaeilge. In addition, my Department will provide additional funding to Foras na Gaeilge in relation to ring-fenced matters such as Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (€ 1,061,165) and Colmcille (€118,519). It is also worth noting that Foras na Gaeilge is allowed to retain the additional income generated from the sale of books and other items to be spent on its activities.
It is intended that NSMC meetings will be held again shortly, at which time the 2017 - 2020 budgets will be approved and that all aspects of the work of the Language Body will be discussed, including the budget for 2021. In this regard, the Deputy will be pleased to learn that an indicative increased allocation has been included in my Department's Estimate for 2021. This will be subject to further consultation with the Department for Communities in the north prior to a final allocation being agreed for 2021.
129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an additional €6 million will be provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta in its line budget to create jobs and contribute to language planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29911/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, it is through the annual budgetary and estimates process that Exchequer funding is allocated to my Department and indeed to all Government Departments and agencies. In this context, the Deputy will be pleased to learn that an additional allocation of €8m has been provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta for 2021 for purposes which include job creation in the Gaeltacht.
Additional funding of €1.3m has also been provided in my Department's allocation for language planning in 2021, bringing to €5m the total language planning allocation available next year.
The Programme for Government clearly illustrates that the Government is committed to support and resourcing Údarás na Gaeltachta and a solid foundation has already been laid, as evidenced by the funding allocations detailed above.
130. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an additional €910,000 will be provided for the Irish language community scheme, SPG, organised by Foras na Gaeilge to guarantee that groups have sufficient funding to coordinate the Irish language in their areas under the scheme and that other groups in various constituencies have the opportunity to join the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29912/20]
View answerIn 2005, Foras na Gaeilge introduced Scéim Pobal Gaeilge (SPG) - the Irish Language Community Scheme - offering local voluntary community committees the opportunity to apply for financial assistance towards the costs of implementing a three year business plan for the development and enhancement of the Irish language among their respective target areas and groups.
SPG was first revised in 2016. In late 2019 Foras na Gaeilge submitted a discussion paper to my Department and to the Department for Communities in the North outlining a proposed revision of the existing scheme, seeking to align the scheme with the Government’s language planning approach - in keeping with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language.
The paper, which was based on consultation with relevant stakeholders, also recommended that the funding to groups be increased to cover salary and associated costs.
It is proposed that the new scheme would focus on the principles of language planning, and that a primary objective of this revised scheme should be to support government policies - those set out in the Gaeltacht Act 2012, in respect of Irish language networks and Gaeltacht service towns, and in the north as outlined in the Draft Strategy to Enhance and Protect the Development of the Irish Language.
The new scheme is currently being finalised by Foras na Gaeilge in conjunction with my Department and the Department for Communities in the North. Subject to the completion of this process, it will be advertised publicly before the end of 2020 and will come into operation in July 2021.
131. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will establish a scholarship scheme as recommended in the investment plan agreed by 80 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups to assist disadvantaged school pupils to attend summer college courses in the Gaeltacht; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29913/20]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that my Department, via Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, subvents the cost of attending summer college in Gaeltacht regions. Under the terms of the scheme, the Department provides a subsidy, currently worth €10 per day (equivalent to € 220 per student for a three week course) which benefits over 26,000 students a year while staying in any of the c.700 Gaeltacht households approved under the scheme. This represents a State investment of over €4m annually in the Irish summer colleges sector, which forms a critical part of the Gaeltacht economy and is estimated in overall terms to be worth €50m annually.
In addition to providing and administering this practical assistance, the Department also administers a number of further specific measures under the scheme, including DEIS Gaeltachta . Under this measure which was introduced in 2019, 50 scholarships are made available annually - worth c. €850 each - to qualifying students attending DEIS post-primary schools. The scheme is administered on behalf of the Department by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.
Due to COVID-19, it was not possible to provide the scholarships this year following the cancellation, on 20th April 2020, of Irish summer college courses by my Department in the interests of protecting public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject to public health advice in relation to the ongoing pandemic, it is envisaged that the provision of scholarships will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. The number of scholarships made available will be kept under review in the context of the demand for same and the financial resources available to my Department.
133. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for cancelling dance classes for children as part of level 3 restrictions; the reason drama and singing classes can go ahead but dance classes cannot; if her attention has been drawn to the stress that many children are experiencing and the stress-relieving properties of dance; the supports available to assist persons running dance classes during level 3 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30167/20]
View answer134. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason dance has been excluded from new guidelines issued by the arts unit in her Department on the activities allowed children’s arts and culture under level three restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30168/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.
The 'Resilience and Recovery Plan for Living with COVID-19' is a cross-government approach to managing the pandemic for the coming months. It sets out a framework on managing and living with COVID-19 and includes restrictive measures to help us to go about our daily lives as much as possible, while managing the virus.
The framework sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. All counties in Ireland are at Level 3 until midnight Tuesday 27 October.
The Government's priority is to keep schools, early learning and childcare services open and minimise disruption in the work force. This means that a number of services should be moved online and some businesses will be closed. In order to keep people safe, we have all been asked to reduce the number of people we meet to a minimum, and stay in our own counties. COVID-19 is highly infectious and we are asked to be extra careful when socialising and working with others.
Dance classes/schools are classified as exercise and sporting events under the Plan. Under Level 3 restrictions, indoor training is only permitted on an individual basis, therefore exercise and dance classes cannot take place. Non-contact training can take place outdoor in pods of up to 15. There are exemptions for professional/elite groups.
135. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén fáth nár chaith a Roinn €1.72 mhilliún a cuireadh ar leataobh dóibh anuraidh le caitheamh ar scéimeanna Gaeltachta agus ar an bpleanáil teanga; agus cá rachaidh an t-airgead seo ina áit sin. [30254/20]
View answerCuireann mo Roinn idir chúnamh chaipitil agus reatha ar fáil i dtaca leis an bPróiséas Pleanála Teanga agus an Clár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga sa Ghaeltacht. In 2019 bhí €10,570,000 san iomlán ar fáil faoin gclár reatha agus €2,322,000 faoin gclár caipitil.
Áirítear anseo an ciste faoi leith faoina ndéantar maoiniú ar bhonn leanúnach ar chur i bhfeidhm an phróisis pleanála teanga agus bearta faoi leith atá dlúthbhainteach leis. Cuireadh buiséad de €3.2m ar fáil don phleanáil teanga in 2019. As an gciste sin, caitheadh €2.63m ar an bpleanáil teanga le linn na bliana. Bhí sé seo níos ísle ná an mbuiséad a bhí curtha ar leataobh dó toisc nár cuireadh an méid pleananna teanga faoi bhráid mo Roinn lena bhfaomhadh is a bhí súil leis. Meabhraítear don Teachta gur próiseas é forbairt pleananna teanga atá ag braith ar ionchur ó pháirtithe éagsúla chomh maith leis an Roinn. Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta gur caitheadh sa bhreis ar €0.5m den chiste nár caitheadh ar an bpleanáil teanga ar thograí eile Gaeilge, Gaeltachta agus Oileán.
Maidir leis an gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga atá á riar ag mo Roinn mar thaca breise don phróiseas pleanála teanga agus d'fheidhmiú foriomlán an Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 agus na straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge lena mbaineann; bhí €7,370,000 ar fáil agus caitheadh €7,524,898 i.e., €154,898 sa bhreis.
Baineadh leas as an gcistíocht sin chun an trí scéim faoi leith a thagann faoina scáth a mhaoiniú eadhon: Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga agus Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh . Ina theannta sin, baineadh leas as an gciste reatha seo chun maoiniú a chur ar fáil do thuairim is 12 eagraíocht Ghaeltachta ar leas na gclár oibre comhaontaithe atá á gcur i bhfeidhm acu go bliantúil ar son an phróisis pleanála teanga sa Ghaeltacht.
Comhthreomhar leis an gcúnamh reatha, cuireadh cistíocht ar fiú €2.322m é ar fáil faoin gclár caipitil in 2019 a baineadh leas as chun cabhrú tuilleadh le forbairt áiseanna pobail agus teanga sa Ghaeltacht. Bhain caiteachas €1,022,000 leis an gclár agus cuireadh an sábháil €1,300,000 i dtreo tograí Gaeltachta agus Oileán. Bhí sábháil faoin gclár de bharr easpa dul chun cinn roinnt tograí caipitil.
136. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek increased funding for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, farm plan scheme in designated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29583/20]
View answerThe Farm Plan Scheme, administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, is an important instrument that allows for proactive engagement with farmers in designated sites, to trial and deliver bespoke measures that support biodiversity. Plans delivered through the Scheme have been used to inform the development of national Agri-Environment Schemes under the Rural Development Programme, co-financed under the Common Agricultural Policy.
The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme is being enlarged this year to work with farmers and to apply and test new and innovative approaches for farmland biodiversity. I would hope to continue that process of enhancement next year budgetary considerations permitting.
My Department meets regularly with the farmers' organisations and I am fully aware that they wish to see an expansion of the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. The matter is receiving close attention and is being advanced in the normal Estimates process and considered in the context of existing commitments, the overall resources available to the Government and the demands on those resources.
In addition, officials of my Department continue to liaise with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the development of the CAP Strategic Plan, which will also have a significant role to play in the delivery of measures for farmland biodiversity in the next operating period.
137. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to deal with the backlog of deer hunting licence applications; when persons can expect to have their licences issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29700/20]
View answerApplicants for deer hunting licenses are always advised to apply before July to ensure that they get their licenses before the beginning of the deer hunting season. At this stage all applicants who had applied before July will have received their licenses. By the end of this week, some 4,000 licenses will have been issued since 1 August.
Notwithstanding this, I am aware of some delays in my Department in processing later batches of deer hunting licence applications this year and that some deer hunters have not received their licenses yet. The delays arise too as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 public health emergency and the effects this has had on travel and working arrangements. While staff in the unit that deals with the issuing of licenses continued to attend the office during the crisis, given restrictions, the numbers of such staff attending was, of course, restricted. The database system used for managing deer licensing is not currently a web based one and some technical challenges arose in facilitating the processing of such licenses for staff working remotely with laptops. Staff continue to work to eliminate the backlog as quickly as possible.
138. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider paying the compensation under the turf cutting compensation scheme in a one-off bulk payment as opposed to an annual payment; his plans to cover the remainder of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30126/20]
View answerThe cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was established in 2011 for turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to include raised bog natural heritage areas. It is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off legal agreement payment of €500.
Relocating domestic turf cutters to non-designated bogs is a complex process and, for certain designated sites, where a suitable relocation site has not been identified or where the identified relocation site cannot accommodate all who have opted to relocate, the 15 years of annual payments under the scheme (less any annual payments or the value of turf deliveries received) has been made available to qualifying applicants who have opted for relocation in the form of a lump sum.
79 qualifying applicants have availed of this option from 15 special area of conservation bogs and 2 natural heritage area bogs.
My Department keeps this lump sum option under review , taking into account the budgetary resources allocated to the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme.
