The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) are hosting nationwide in-person farmers clinics for Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), and other scheme applications.
Department staff are available to assist farmers who require help with various applications.
This would be especially beneficial to farmers who do not have a Farm Advisory System (FAS) – approved advisor to guide them through the process.
Scheme applications
Farmers can apply for all elements of direct payments (BISS, Eco-Schemes, Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, Protein Aid, National Reserve, transferring of entitlements) on the day.
No registration is required. Farmers are reminded to bring photo ID with them to these events.
Listed below are the remaining locations and times of the clinic. Each clinic takes place from 10:00a.m to 4:30p.m.
| Great National Hotel, Ballina, Co. Mayo | Thursday, April 11; |
| Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford | Tuesday, April 16; |
| Randles Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry | Wednesday, April 17; |
| DAFM offices, Raheen, Co. Limerick | Thursday, April 18; |
| Newgrange Hotel, Navan, Co. Meath | Tuesday, April 23; |
| Spraoi agus Spórt, Supervalu, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal | Wednesday, April 24; |
| Central Hotel, Donegal town | Thursday, April 25; |
| DAFM offices, Dunshambo, Co. Leitrim | Tuesday, April 30; |
| Shirley Arms Hotel, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan | Wednesday, May 1; |
| DAFM offices, Co. Cavan | Thursday, May 2; |
| Minella Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary | Tuesday, May 7; |
| Fingrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork | Wednesday, May 8; |
| DAFM offices, Clonakilty, Co. Cork | Thursday, May 9. |
The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), co-funded by the European Union is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability.
It functions as a safety net by guaranteeing a minimum level of agricultural income for all active farmers and ensures a fair standard of living for the agricultural community.
Consequently, basic income support plays a key role in supporting food security.
Closing date for BISS 2024 applications is Wednesday, 15 May 2024.
Important contact numbers
Farmers who want to contact the department in relation to online applications can do so at:
(049)4368288 in relation to queries on registering for www.ag.food.ie – e.g. queries on lost passwords, how to register, etc.
(057)874422 in relation to queries on completing the BISS applications once registered on www.agfood.ie, or to request a paper copy of the terms and conditions.
Department staff are also available to assist with applications in the government buildings, Old Abbeyleix Road or Portlaoise at any stage during the application period.
