The Government could offer to voluntarily buy land or turbary rights on any protected raised bog in future.
It is one of a number of options the Government is considering following a review of the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS), the Minister of State with responsibility for heritage Christopher O’Sullivan has said.
He said the Department is now advancing initiatives on raised bogs to support their conservation and the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Raised Bog Restoration Programme.
The Department is also looking at the revision and expansion of the Protected Raised Bog Restoration Incentive Scheme to include other eligible property holders.
“My department intends to contact qualifying CTCCS beneficiaries with further information on incentives now available to them under this scheme,” he said in response to a recent parliamentary question from Galway east TD Albert Dolan.
Pilot initiative
Also under consideration is the development of a pilot initiative to support landowners, local networks and community groups who may take on a stewardship role for designated nature sites.
“These initiatives would support training of local stakeholders and community groups who wish to take part in the conservation of designated nature sites and provide valuable information on habitats and species. In return for undertaking defined stewardship activities, participants would receive annual payments and training support,” the minister said.
In 2026, the minister said some 986 qualified scheme applicants received their final annuity payments.
