The Deputy has raised a number of queries which do not fall within the remit of my Department, including the cost of tackling gorse fires over each of the past three years; the number of landowners that have been prosecuted during that time; the number of times a helicopter has been called in to help deal with such fires over the past three years and to date in 2018; the cost of same. These matters fall within the remit of bodies such as the Department of Justice; the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Local Authorities.
As the Deputy may be aware, it was apparent during the closed season for burning in 2017 that there was widespread burning of vegetation. My Department actively investigated incidents of illegal burning using the most up to date technology and satellite imagery as well as field visits for the purpose of establishing the eligibility of land under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).
In this regard some 57 parcels of land were identified as having been burned between 1 March and 31 August 2017. The majority of these fires took place on commonage land and therefore a significant number of farmers were affected.
179 farmers have already been written to outlining that the burned land parcel(s) are ineligible for the purpose of BPS and have given rise to over-claims. While no BPS payments were suspended, payment did not issue on lands that were burned. The numbers of applicants contacted on a county basis were as outlined in the following table:
|
Cork
|
Donegal
|
Dublin
|
Galway
|
Kerry
|
Leitrim
|
Mayo
|
Sligo
|
Tipperary
|
Wicklow
|
Total
|
|
3
|
23
|
13
|
39
|
17
|
4
|
44
|
29
|
2
|
5
|
179
|
The letters explained the options open to them including the right to a review and also requesting them to submit any relevant documentation. Following receipt of appeals, administrative penalties were waived in a number of cases.
As mentioned above, my Department is not responsible for the investigation of the actual causes of illegal burning, but is responsible for determining the eligibility of land under the BPS and other area related schemes. It is important that farmers and the wider public are mindful of the damage that burning can cause and to take appropriate care.
