DAFM to begin in-person clinics for farm schemes tomorrow
The first in a series of in-person clinics to help farmers in making online applications for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based farm schemes kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday, April 1).
Staff from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) will provide one-to-one support well in advance of the application closing date of Thursday, May 15, 2025.
These clinics have proved very popular in past years as it allows farmers to engage directly with officials from the department.
A total of 16 farmer clinics are scheduled to take place at locations across the country with the first taking place at the Woodstock Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare tomorrow.
The department has said that all of the in-person clinics will run from 10:00a.m – 4.30p.m and will be of particular use for farmers who do not have a Farm Advisory System (FAS) advisor to assist them.
The full schedule for all clinics is as follows:
| Date | Venue |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, April 1 | Ennis, Co. Clare – The Woodstock Hotel |
| Wednesday, April 2 | Oranmore, Co. Galway – Oranmore Lodge Hotel |
| Tuesday, April 8 | Athlone, Co. Roscommon – Athlone Springs Hotel |
| Wednesday, April 9 | Tuam, Co. Galway – Ard Rí House Hotel |
| Thursday, April 10 | Ballina, Co. Mayo – Great National Hotel |
| Tuesday, April 15 | Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford – Riverside Park Hotel |
| Wednesday, April 16 | Killarney, Co. Kerry – Randles Hotel |
| Thursday, April 17 | Raheen, Co. Limerick - DAFM offices |
| Tuesday, April 22 | Trim, Co. Meath – Knightsbrook Hotel |
| Wednesday, April 23 | Donegal Town – The Central Hotel |
| Thursday, April 24 | Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim - DAFM offices |
| Wednesday, April 30 | Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan – Shirley Arms Hotel |
| Thursday, May 1 | Cavan - DAFM offices |
| Tuesday, May 6 | Clonmel, Co. Tipperary - Minella Hotel |
| Wednesday, May 7 | Mitchelstown, Co. Cork - Firgrove Hotel |
| Thursday, May 8 | Clonakilty, Co. Cork - DAFM offices |
DAFM said that it is advisable for farmers planning to attend the clinics to bring details of their Agfood portal login, where available, as well as details of herd number, and their PPSN to verify their identity.
BISS, which is funded by the EU, is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability.
Last year, a total of 124,274 BISS and other area-based schemes scheme applications were submitted to the department from across the country by the deadline.
Around 120,000 applications were submitted for Complementary Redistribution Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS).
This measure is designed to redistribute Common Agricultural Policy funds from larger farms to medium and smaller sized farms.
The department received 120,461 applications from farmers wanting to participate in the Eco Scheme in 2024.
