1912. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a person's application under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63178/26]

The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established following engagement with stakeholders in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the restrictions on turf cutting on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation (SAC) and was extended in 2014 to include 36 raised bog natural heritage areas (NHA).

The qualification criteria for the scheme are that:

• The applicant must have had a legal interest/ownership or a Turbary Right (right to cut turf) in one of the 53 Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) encompassed by the scheme on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from that property on that date.

• The applicant must have been cutting turf on the said land in question during the qualifying five year period up to 31 December 2011 and the turf resource has not been exhausted.

My Department is currently processing a number of applications received in the latter stages of the scheme.

The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme compensates qualifying householders for the lack of access to fuel for domestic home heating as a result of the restrictions on turf cutting on these protected bogs.

The Department must be satisfied that the applicant had their own household during the qualifying period before the compensation is paid. If this cannot be shown the application will be refused, if this is the case the Departments decision can be appealed to the Peatlands Council.

My Department is aware that documents relating to the qualifying period of the scheme may become more difficult to obtain over time. Regarding the application referenced, the documentation provided, to date, does not show that the applicant had their own individual household during the qualifying period for which they claim to have provided turf to. Without sufficient proof of address for the years listed, this application will not be able to progress further. Each application is treated on an individual basis and assessed as such.