The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM's) total landholding is 2612.4 hectares, according to latest official records.

This covers lands, buildings, forest plots and former Land Commission plots according to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.

The minister detailed the current total landholding in response to a question raised by Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín.

The Meath West TD had requested details of DAFM's landholding throughout the country.

According to Minister Heydon none of the land held by DAFM is zoned for development.

DAFM also owns, operates, develops and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros an Mhíl, under statute.

There are currently 265 properties in the Fishery Harbour Centre portfolio.

According to Minister Heydon the portfolio contains a diverse range of properties reflecting the harbours’ role as working fishery harbours and as the location for a broad range of other marine-related activities.

Almost 30% of these properties are used by DAFM in the operation of the harbours, providing facilities for the likse of net mending, pier service areas, storage for fishing gear and weighbridge operations.

DAFM's budget

The latest update on DAFM's landholding comes against the backdrop of the department being asked to find savings of up to €26 million next year.

The Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers confirmed that levies are to be applied to government departments following an overspend in education.

DAFM had a gross allocated budget of €2.3 billion for 2026.

This represented a €170 million or 9% increase from 2025 and includes €1.967 billion in current expenditure and a €335 million capital programme.

Based on DAFM's current expenditure allocation for this year, the department could have to identify savings of €25.6 million for 2027.