The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established to compensate land owners and turbary right holders affected by the restriction on turf cutting on the 53 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). This Scheme is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on behalf of the Minister.
In 2014 the Minister has extended the Scheme to include land owners and turbary right holders affected by the restriction on turf cutting on 36 raised bog Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). Details of this scheme, and the application forms needed to apply, are available via https://www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting/turf-cutting-compensation-scheme
The scheme offers qualifying applicants the option of a payment of €1,500 per year; index linked, for a period of 15 years or, where feasible, relocation to a non-designated bog where they can continue to cut turf.
Qualifying applicants may avail of the annual payment or the delivery of 15 tonnes of turf to their homes while awaiting relocation to non-designated bog where they can continue to cut turf.

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When did the Scheme of €1500 in compensation for not cutting turf in bogs commence?
don’t know, but it was extended in 2014 so prior to that
https://www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting/cessation-turf-cutting-compensation-scheme/compensation-scheme-statistics