Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
379. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the future
proposals for Mount Heavey Bog, County Westmeath [7963/12]
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan): Mount Hevey Bog
is situated approximately 4 kilometres north-east of Kinnegad, in the townlands of Cloncrave,
White Island, Aghamore, Kilwarden and Kilnagalliagh. The site comprises raised bog, which is
listed under Annex I of the European Union Habitats Directive, and has been designated as a
special area of conservation (SAC). Mount Hevey Bog is one of 24 raised bog SACs affected,
from the end of last year, by the cessation of turf cutting.
In April 2011, the Government announced a redress package for those affected by the cessation
of turf cutting on raised bog SACs. The package offers qualifying turf cutters the option
of a financial payment of €1,000 per year, index linked, over 15 years or, where feasible, relocation
to non-designated bogs, where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate
can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of cut turf while relocation sites are identified
and prepared. The costs of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State.
In December 2011 my Department wrote to known owners of land and rights in the 24 SACs
in question to inform them of the cessation of turf cutting in these sites and to invite applications
for compensation. Advertisements have also been placed in local and national papers.
The deadline for the receipt of applications for compensation is the end of February 2012.
Once turf cutting has ended on raised bog SACs, a conservation objective will be drawn up
and a draft management plan will be discussed with local land owners for each designated site.
These issues will be considered within the wider context of a national strategy on peatland
conservation and management.
Qualifying turf cutters on Mount Hevey Bog may avail of the financial payment or, where
feasible, relocation. In respect of relocation, my Department is in discussion with several groups
of turf cutters from different bogs with a view to reaching satisfactory solutions at a local
level. Agreement has been concluded with groups from Clara Bog in County Offaly and from
Carrownagappul and Curraghlehanagh SACs in County Galway. These solutions involved turf
cutters moving to nearby Bord na Móna bogs to continue turf cutting. My Department is also
in discussions as regards relocation possibilities for Mount Hevey Bog.
Question No. 380 answered with Question No. 372.
381. Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the
number of bogs for turf cutting in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the
matter. [8042/12]
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan): I assume that the
Deputy is referring to peat bogs in County Mayo that have been designated for protection as
Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 or as Special Areas
of Conservation (SACs). These are set out in the Table.
The relevant legislation also regulates certain uses of these bogs, including turf extraction.
Turf extraction may also be subject to controls under the Planning and Development Acts or
require Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control licensing, depending on the nature of
the activity.
Site Name Location Type of bog Type of
designation
Carrowmore Lake Complex Mayo Blanket Bog SAC
489