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Some 2,626 turf-cutters received €3.9m in compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS) last year.
The figure marked a 21% jump from the number of turf-cutters who received compensation in 2012.
Under the scheme, turf-cutters or turbary rights holders who are affected by the cessation of turf-cutting on 53 raised bogs can opt to have an annual payment of €1,500 or a load of turf for a 15-year period.
Galway has received the highest number of compensation payments, with €4.7m paid out to 3,156 people between 2012 and 2017.
The number of scheme recipients increased by 20% in that time frame.
Turf-cutters in Roscommon received the second highest number of payments with €4m paid to 2,699 recipients over the same period, and an increase of 19% in scheme recipients. The Department of Heritage told the Irish Farmers Journal that it is still accepting late applications for the scheme and that not all bogs had been subject to the same scheme start date, which explained the fluctuation in recipient figures.
“As the 15-year payments for the applicants on each group of bogs under the scheme cease, the number of individuals being paid per annum will gradually taper off in the future,” the Department added.
An additional €500 once-off payment is provided to turf-cutters who sign a legal agreement with the Department.
Galway has received the highest number of once-off payments between 2012 and 2017, followed by Roscommon again.
“Some 15,594 annual payments and 994 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of applications received under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme for raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and natural heritage areas,” Minister for Heritage Josepha Madigan said in response to a parliamentary question in June.
“In addition, 1,870 once-off incentive payments of €500 have been made.”
Some €28.7m had been paid out in total under the scheme to date, with €3.5m paid out on average each year. The department has previously stated that it expects to spend almost €60m under the scheme.
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