I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 218, inclusive, together.
My Department has received 278 applications for the Interim Compensation for Winter 2010/11 Scheme. So far, 53 of these applications have been deemed to be invalid and 141 have been approved for payment. Of these, the payment of the €1,000 has been completed on 115 applications. A further 84 are being assessed. In total, it is estimated that there are about 750 active cutters on the 32 Raised Bog SACs.
For this year, there is a provision of €4.35m for the compensation of landowners/holders of turbary rights within the designated raised bog areas. This provision covers both the Bog Purchase Scheme and the compensation of commercial turf cutters, but not the interim compensation scheme referred to above. So far this year, expenditure has reached approximately €0.65m. My Department is continuing to work on the details of longer-term compensation for turf cutters, and I will make recommendations to Government as soon as possible. The financial provisions for 2011 will be determined in the context of the annual estimates provisions.