Scheme to halt turf cutting set to cost State about €60m

A scheme designed to compensate turf cutters who were relocated away from bogs designated as conservation areas could end up costing the State close to €60m.

Figures released by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs reveal it has received over 3,000 applications under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme.

Under the scheme, those who cease cutting turf on protected bogs will receive an annual payment of €1,500, linked to the Consumer Price Index, for 15 years.

Turf cutters relocated to another bog can avail of the annual payment or a delivery of 15 tonnes of cut turf per year while their alternative site is identified.

An additional once-off payment of €500 will be provided to turf cutters who sign legal agreements with the department.

The department says the scheme has received a total of 3,219 applications from turf cutters who are to cease cutting on 53 bogs across 13 counties.

“The department estimates that over the lifetime of the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme for raised bog Special Areas of Conservation €55m will be spent on annual compensation payments, €1m on once-off incentive payments (legal agreement payments) and €2.4m in payments for turf deliveries,” a spokesperson for the department said.

10,993 payments of €1,500 were made to turf cutters over six years at a cost of an estimated €16.5m, while 1,619 legal agreement payments have also been made, valued at an estimated €809,500.

Furthermore, 861 deliveries of cut turf have been sent over five years to turf cutters who are seeking relocation to another bog.

The bogs designated as Special Areas of Conservation are in counties Cavan, Clare, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, and Westmeath.

The highest number of applications under the scheme came from turf cutters on the Lough Ree bog, which spans counties Longford, Roscommon and Westmeath.