Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
1024. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional resources are being considered in relation to the roll out of the land parcel identification system in identified counties. [27012/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is progressing well with the development and rollout of the new Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). The LPIS is the Department’s land database which underpins payments to farmers under area-based schemes such as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (ANC), afforestation schemes, and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). The new LPIS is replacing the current 25 year old system.
The overall objective is to ensure the most efficient delivery of €1.6 billion of EU funded scheme payments to applicants, in line with regulatory requirements. The new LPIS gives farmers a more accurate representation of land parcel boundaries, and is based on the most up-to-date technologies and Ordnance Survey Ireland mapping standard.
It was first introduced in Louth in 2019 and was rolled out to an additional five counties (Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, and Longford) in 2020. Additional counties are on target to go live in the new system in 2021.
The roll out has been underpinned by a comprehensive communication campaign to help farmers understand the changeover to the new system. This included regular correspondence and a comprehensive statement of land with details of the parcels held by the farmer, and the resultant changes to these parcels arising from the move to the new LPIS. In addition, regional public information sessions were hosted by the Department in 2019 to inform farmers, agents and farm bodies of the transition to the new system. However, in line with HSE advice, the information sessions scheduled for March 2020 were cancelled.
Resources are in place and are subject to ongoing review and refinement, as appropriate to ensure an efficient and timely transition of all counties to the new system by 2022.
Further information on the LPIS as well as details relating to frequently asked questions can be found online at:
www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/lpisrebuildproject/
