Expressions of interest are sought from landowners, communities and local organisations throughout the Just Transition Territory in Ireland who are interested in wetland restoration in their areas. Tóchar can assist in many ways, such as providing funding towards survey work, restoration planning, interpretation, raising awareness and education and restoration work on the ground.

On receipt of your form a member of the Tóchar team will make contact to organise a meeting or a site visit to explore the possibilities. In partnership with the participant, Tóchar will follow up with the necessary assistance to progress projects. Any actions identified and completed will be 100% funding.

Landowners and turbary right holders may also qualify for the once off incentive scheme payment of €1,450 per hectare, with a minimum payment of €725 and a maximum payment of €15,000. The payment will issue on the satisfactory completion of the recommended actions. Further details of the incentive are available in the link below.

Participants have the right to appeal a decision made by the project team as per the appeals process outlined in the document below.

If you have queries relating to submitting an expression of interest please email tocharwetlands@npws.gov.ie

Applications Appeals Process

Participants have the right to appeal a decision made by the project team. Tóchar will co-ordinate and manage an appeals process for unsuccessful applicants. It will provide unsuccessful applicants with their decision in writing on request, providing relevant feedback and outlining the guidelines and timeframes of the appeal process. As part of the process unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged and advised to seek feedback on their application prior to proceeding to seek a review of the decision on their application.

Appeals Process

The appeal procedure is a two stage process. Where the participant wishes to appeal a decision of the project team, the applicant must request that the project team undertake a review of the decision within 15 working days of the date that the participant was informed of the disputed decision.

The first stage of the appeal process is a re-examination of the issue by the Tóchar project team. Tóchar will advise all appellants of the outcome of their appeal in writing within 10 working days of receipt of their appeal.

Following this, if the participant is not satisfied with the outcome of the review, they may choose to make a formal appeal. A formal appeal must be submitted within 10 working days of receiving the stage appeal one outcome letter. Personnel involved in the initial appeal process will not be involved in the formal appeals process. NPWS will appoint an Appeals Commissioner who will consider formal appeals and report on the outcome of this appeal with 15 working days. If the appellant is unhappy with the decision on their appeal, they can make a complaint to the Ombudsman.

Should an applicant wish to appeal a decision under the Tóchar Wetlands Restoration Scheme, the stage 1 appeal should be sent in writing within 15 working days of the original decision to:

Appeals – Tóchar Wetlands Restoration Scheme
NPWS,
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage,
Birr Technology Centre,
St Brendan Street,
Birr,
Co Offaly R42 HX39

The applicant will be informed in writing of the outcome of the appeal within 10 working days as outlined above.