Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has announced the start of advance payments under the 2024 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS).

The Minister said: “I am delighted to confirm that advance payments under the BISS and CRISS, worth over €506 million to 110,186 farmers, have started today.

“Given that these payments are critical to family farm income and a vital support for farmers as well as the rural economy, I am pleased to have delivered payment levels this year that far exceed what was achieved at the commencement of payments in 2023,” he added.

In October last year, €452 million was announced for BISS and CRISS advance payments.

“This means that 6,000 more farmers have been paid, and €54 million more in payments have gone out this year compared to the commencement of payments in 2023.”

The minister said that payment dates for 2024 have reverted to the payment schedule in place in previous years. 93% of applicants have been paid, which is in line with commitments under the Farmers’ Charter to pay 90% of eligible applications.

“Given the importance of scheme payments to farmers, I committed to ensuring that these payments continue to issue in the most efficient way possible to ensure that these vital supports are delivered to farmers in a timely manner,” Minister McConalogue commented.

The BISS and CRISS advance payments are commencing today (Wednesday, October 16) at a rate of 70%. Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria.

The minister urged any farmers with outstanding requests for documentation from the department to return these documents to allow payments to issue.

Payments under the 2024 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, which commenced last month, are also continuing as more cases are cleared for payment, and 2024 payments under the Pillar I eco-scheme will commence from next week, according to the department.

To facilitate farmers wishing to contact the department regarding their BISS or ANC payments, extended hours are in place for the Direct Payments Helpdesk. Throughout this week, the helpdesk will be available up to 8.30p.m.

Farmers can ring the helpdesk at 057-8674422. Farmers can also submit any queries they may have online via the Agfood portal.