The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has now received nearly 64,000 applications for Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes.

A department spokesperson told Agriland as of this morning (Wednesday, April 23), 63,993 applications have been received for the schemes.

DAFM previously confirmed that it had received 51,373 applications by Tuesday, April 15.

This means that an additional 12,620 applications were submitted by farmers or their appointed advisors over the past week.

The department has reminded farmers that the closing date for BISS applications in 2025 is Thursday, May 15.

This application process also includes the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), the Eco-Scheme actions, and the other related schemes.

These include the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF), the Protein Aid Scheme, the National Reserve, and transferring of entitlements.

Annual payment claims for the Straw Incorporation Measure, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) can also be made online, along with the Multi-species Sward Measure and the Red Clover Silage Measure.

Last year, 124,274 BISS and other area-based scheme applications were submitted to the department from across the country by the deadline.

The department is currently running a series of in-person BISS clinics for farmers at locations across the country.

In 2024, almost 1,400 farmers attended the in-person clinics across the country and indications are that demand is strong again this year.

The remaining clinics, all of which run from 10:00a.m – 4.30p.m, take place on the following dates:

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.