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.
The CTCCS was first introduced in Mouds Bog SAC (Site code 002331) Co. Kildare in 2012 and was open for applicants since then. My Department is currently processing late applications received in 2024 and 2025.
One of the primary objectives of the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme is to compensate families for the lack of access to fuel for domestic home heating as a result of the restrictions. The Department must be satisfied that an applicant was providing turf for their household before compensation is paid.
There has been no expansion of the evidential requirements of the scheme. My Department is aware that documents relating to the qualifying period of the scheme may become more difficult to obtain over time. A significant cause of delayed or refused applications is an inability to provide details of separate living arrangements and the amount of turf they cut for those households in the qualifying period.
My Department provides significant support and guidance to late applicants regarding supporting documents for the scheme. However, no application can be approved without a full review of the completed application to ensure all requirements are met, and a legal agreement must be signed between the applicant and on my behalf before compensation issues.
