Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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536. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the fact that a distortion can occur in data conversion of two mapping projects in which each has a particular scale and format and, consequently, that non-conclusive mapping may remain containing negligent, inaccurate and inconsistent data; if he has full confidence that the Property Registration Authority digitisation protocol guarantees a reliable process that recognises and corrects all distortion between the two mapping projects; and if so, if he will explain the way in which; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1642/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed that under the Property Registration Authority (PRA) Digital Mapping Project (2005-2010), Land Registry plans and boundaries were transferred from the paper maps to the digital map. This digitisation was carried out in accordance with the guidelines as set out in the PRA Digitisation Protocol Document, which was validated by eminent international mapping/land administration experts and shown to be fit for purpose.

I am further informed that all matters relevant to the transfer of mapping data from both the Cassini (County Series) map projection and the Irish Grid map projection are adequately dealt with within the body of the PRA Digitisation Protocol Document (available at: www.prai.ie/digitisation-protocol/ ).

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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537. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on information disclosed to a newspaper (details supplied) with respect to Land Registry mapping errors; and the amount of compensation that has been paid to date. [1643/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Property Registration Authority (PRA) maintains a title register and the Land Registry map is not, except as provided by legislation, conclusive as to boundaries or extent. A specific note to that effect appears on the National Land Register. This has been the position since the inception of the title registration system in 1891.

The registration mapping framework maintained by the PRA is underpinned by its link to Ordnance Survey Ireland topographical data. However, all registrations effected in the PRA are based on the original documents and application map lodged for registration.

The digitisation of the PRA map record in 2005 transformed property registration in Ireland. It also, in the main, revealed rather than caused non-conformities which were already on the original paper-based mapping system. Once online searching became accessible to all, there was an expected and exponential increase in public queries.

The PRA receives ongoing enquiries about mapping issues, and each query brought to its attention is investigated fully. The PRA has established a dedicated and robust process for the ongoing evaluation of all mapping and other queries. Original legal deeds and documents of title (including the original map lodged) are retrieved and reviewed to establish if an actual error arises and its origins. There are statutory provisions governing the correction of any errors identified, depending on whether the origins of the error are internal to the PRA or due to an issue arising externally.

Digitisation of the PRA Map was completed in 2010 and, to date, compensation payments made under Section 120 of the Registration of Title Act 1964, which specifically relate to digital mapping errors, amount to €59,615.