531 new applications for turf cutting compensation scheme
A total of 531 individuals applied to the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS) following confirmation of the closure of the scheme in September 2024 to new applicants.
According to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, his department is currently processing the tranche of new applications.
It is also in the processing "annual payments to over 2,200 applicants who are already qualified for the scheme".
The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was first established in 2011 for domestic turf cutters affected by restrictions on turf cutting on designated raised bogs.
To qualify for the scheme the applicant had to have a legal interest/ownership or a turbary right in one of the 53 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation or 36 raised bog Natural Heritage Areas set out in the scheme on May, 25 2010.
They also had to have the right to cut and remove turf from that property on that date.
Any applicant to the scheme had to have been cutting turf on the land in question during the qualifying five-year period up to December 31, 2011 and the turf on site had not to have been exhausted.
The compensation scheme included a payment of €1,500 per year, index-linked, for 15 years, or where it was feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs where they could continue to cut turf.
Turf cutters who did want to relocate could also get a payment or the delivery of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum while relocation sites were identified and prepared.
The costs of acquiring and preparing relocation sites was met by the State.
An additional once-off payment of €500 for qualifying turf cutters was also provided where legal agreements were signed with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
According to Minister Browne once an applicant has been assessed as qualifying for the compensation scheme it "generally takes one to two weeks for the persons payment to be processed and cleared".
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