Almost 1,500 payments made to banned turf cutters

Just under 1,500 compensation payments have now been made to turf cutters banned from collecting turf on bogs protected under EU rules.

It brings the total spend so far on the compensation scheme to almost €2.3m.

Turf cutters are eligible to compensation of €1,500 a year, together with a once-off payment of €500 to landowners who participate in the deal.

The figures were announced in the Dáil this afternoon by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan.