Michael Ring
Ceist:1235 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of the compensation available for persons who agree not to cut turf. [21997/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 29 September 2004
Ceisteanna (1055)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department provides compensation for persons who are owners of land or turbary rights in bogs statutorily proposed for designation as a special area of conservation or a natural heritage area and who agree not to cut turf in those areas. The scheme is applicable primarily to any person who wishes to sell to my Department their freehold, fee simple or turbary rights in designated raised bogs. My Department will consider purchases in designated blanket bogs, which are in mountain areas and in western counties, only in exceptional circumstances where it is found necessary to restrict cutting of turf. It should be noted that this is a voluntary scheme and there will be no compulsory purchases.
My Department will purchase designated raised bog at the following rates: freehold — €3,500 for the first acre or part thereof and €3,000 for each subsequent acre; turbary rights — €2,975 for the first acre or part thereof and €2,550 for each subsequent acre; and fee simple — €525 for the first acre or part thereof and €450 for each subsequent acre. Only where it is necessary to prohibit turf cutting will my Department purchase blanket bog, at the rate of €1,000 per acre or part thereof.
As well as the above new rates my Department will also make an additional incentive payment to those who are foregoing cutting for domestic purposes in these areas. Anyone who sells full title or turbary rights to my Department between July 2004 and December 2005 will get an additional once-off payment of €6000. This payment will decline by €600 per annum for sales in later years. This payment is applicable to bogs proposed for designation in or after 2002. It will also be applied on an adjusted basis and timescale to bogs proposed for designation in earlier years.
Alternatively, an annual payment of €600, for a maximum of 10 years, will be available to a landowner who does not wish to sell title to bog or turbary rights but who commits to cease cutting and allow drain blocking or other essential restoration works. This is conditional on satisfactory evidence of title being produced and consent by the landowner to a legal agreement. Anyone wishing to avail of these new arrangements should apply in writing to my Department at Site Protection Section, National Parks & Wildlife Service, 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2.