Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 753: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a commitment will be given that maps digitised this year and last will not need to be re-digitised in 2012. [1247/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which records details of all land declared under all the area-based schemes, must be fully accurate and up to date, given the fact that it underpins total expenditure under these schemes of in excess of €1.8 billion annually. Consequently the system must be updated to take account of changes to areas submitted by farmers. Any failings or shortcomings in the LPIS would constitute a breach of the Integrated Administrative and Control System provided for under European Union legislation and would leave my Department open to the very real risk of significant EU fines. Such a risk which cannot be countenanced as it could compromise the value of direct payments to farmers.

Farmers submit maps to my Department to facilitate re-digitising, in order to have various ineligible features, such as buildings, roadways, farmyards, etc, properly recorded on the LPIS. The changes made to the LPIS on foot of the maps submitted by farmers is one of the three main methods used to update the spatial data, the other two being changes identified during remote sensing and ground inspections and changes identified during my Department's internal review of ortho-photography. It is essential that the necessary amendments identified be made, on an ongoing basis, to accurately reflect the position on the ground.

Within the next number of weeks, the most up to date maps available to my Department will be sent to each applicant under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. To ensure that the LPIS is fully accurate and up to date, applicants under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme will be asked to carefully examine these maps and to make any amendments necessary to ensure that the areas eligible for payment under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme are clearly identified. The amended maps should be returned to my Department in the usual way with the 2012 SPS application form.

Under the 2012 SPS there will also be a review of 2011 ortho-photography and the results of both remote sensing and ground inspections will be carried out as required under EU legislation. Any amendments required will be identified on the relevant maps for the SPS applicants concerned. My Department is legally obliged to have all such amendments digitised onto the LPIS.