Claire Kerrane
Question:327. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when all payments under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme will be made for 2021. [23754/21]
View answerTuesday, 11 May 2021
Questions (327)
Written answers
The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was established in 2011 for domestic turf cutters arising from the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to encompass turf cutters from raised bog natural heritage areas. This scheme is applicable to turf cutters who have been affected by the designation of raised bogs, encompassed by the scheme, as special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas and who fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme. 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 payment of €500 on the signing of a legal agreement under the scheme.
Annual payments for 2021 under the scheme continue to be made on a weekly basis. My Department expects that these payments to applicants, who fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme will, as in all previous years of the scheme, be completed before the end of the third quarter of 2021.