Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
667. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if mutual agreement has been reached on the impact of special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas on traditional turf cutters using the various bogs in County Kildare; if all outstanding issues have been resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44173/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra171 applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been received and acknowledged by my Department in respect of Mouds Bog and 60 applications in respect of Ballynafagh Bog in County Kildare. A total of 361 annual payments, 187 turf deliveries and 34 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Mouds Bog and 107 annual payments, 20 turf deliveries and 13 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Ballynafagh Bog. 78 applicants from Mouds Bog and 23 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. Discussions are on-going with qualifying applicants from Ballynafagh Bog with a view to relocation to a non-designated bog in close proximity.
The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, which is available to download from my Department’s website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Publications , provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bog natural heritage areas.
