Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1160. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of designated land that there is an entitlement attached to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16545/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and specifically the Site Designation Unit within National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) are responsible for site designation and notification to the relevant stakeholders in terms of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHA).

There is no attachment between Payment Entitlements and any specific land parcel or land type, whether designated or not. However each Payment Entitlement must be supported by one hectare of eligible land for activation in any given scheme year.

Payment Entitlements may also be transferred between farmers through sale and short or longer term leasing to assist farmers by giving the flexibility to organise their farming business in the way that suits them best.

A significant proportion of farmers use this option in each scheme year. Due to these factors, it is not possible to give a valid assessment between the amount of designated land and Payment Entitlements held by farmers.