THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced a new compensation package for people who used to cut turf in sites which have been designated environmentally protected areas.

Under the EU Habitats Directive, areas of peatland across the country have been given protected status, meaning people can no longer cut turf there.

The package was unveiled by Ministers Phil Hogan and Jimmy Deenihan. In a statement released today, Hogan said the compensation deal would be available immediately for the 31 raised bogs where turf cutting stopped in May 2010.

He said the department would be directly approaching people to inform them of the scheme and how to avail of it.

Under the package, people can apply for payments of €1,000 a year for a maximum of 15 years or can appeal to be relocated, if possible, to an area where turf cutting can continue.

Referring to the EU directive, Deenihan said:

We have legal obligations and there will be immediate consequences if we do not meet them. We have put in place measures to provide compensation for those who cannot cut turf in these sites or to facilitate relocation, where possible, to those who wish to continue turf-cutting.

However, Independent TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flangan, who opposes the halt to turf cutting, told RTÉ News that the compensation proposed was inadequate.

“Unless you live in a telephone box, you won’t be able to heat your house on €1,000 a year,” he said.