Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
673. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a person (details supplied) will receive a payment under the turf cutting compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20721/22]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme referred to in the Question was received by my Department. With respect to the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation sites encompassed by the scheme, 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, 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 am advised that my Department continues to check all the qualifying criteria of the scheme have been met and that officials from my Department have made contact with the applicant with a view to further processing the application.
