Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
394. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed in relation to their eligibility for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26883/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. With respect to 36 raised bog natural heritage area sites, 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 five year period up to 14 January 2014;
- 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 the applicant was informed in 2018 that he did not fulfil the qualifying criteria of the scheme. This applicant was provided with the opportunity to seek a Departmental review of this decision and did so. The decision was upheld and the applicant was advised that he could appeal the decision to the Peatlands Council.
My Department has been advised that, to date, no appeal has been received by the Peatlands Council. The applicant may lodge an appeal by contacting the Peatlands Council at peatlandscouncil@chg.gov.ie or by post to Secretary, Peatlands Council, PO Box 12070, Dublin 2.
