Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2020
284. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of farmland that have been lost to erosion and notified to his Department via changes in land parcel information by county in tabular form; if he will consider a scheme to assist farmers whose land is affected by erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26021/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of coastal erosion is primarily one for the Local Authorities who have mitigation and control plans in place.
The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) is the mapping system used by my Department to manage the various area-based farmer schemes that it operates such as the Basic Payment Scheme, Greening and the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme.
My Department updates the land parcel boundaries on the LPIS when land ceases to be involved in agricultural production. In circumstances where land is eroded, and where the Department identifies such changes, the area is excluded from the area eligible for payment. Where these updates are made, the reason for the change (e.g. erosion, buildings, farm roads etc.) is not recorded. Hence, my Department does not hold data specific to the issue of coastal erosion or soil erosion in general.
My Department has engaged with local communities impacted by recent landslides to ensure that the payments to these farmers are not impacted by these exceptional circumstances.
