Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) operates a land mapping system to support area-based payments. This system, known as the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), contains the land declarations of all farmers who are in receipt of payments under schemes such as the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).

In order to draw down payment, farmers must carry out an agricultural activity, as set out in the Guide to land Eligibility published by my Department. Farmers are free to choose the form of activity that best suits their land and the system of farming that they are engaged with. The LPIS therefore does not contain information on the specific activity carried out on the lands. It does however, contain information on the crops declared. This information is published annually on my Departments website - www.gov.ie/en/publication/cfa39-basic-payment-scheme-crop-areas/#2023

In 2023, a total of 4,682,472.87 hectares was declared as eligible for payment purposes. While the LPIS contains information on other areas within the farm, for example buildings and roadways, these are not included in the total figure as they are not eligible for payment purposes.