Closing date for BISS applications looms
With the deadline of the 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) applications just over a fortnight away, farmers are being urged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Supports organised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) are available through in person clinics next week and online.
Extended opening hours will also operate in Portlaoise, Co. Laois if farmers wish to call in and discuss their application with department staff.
The BISS deadline of midnight on Wednesday, May 15 is also the deadline for the related submission of applications for other schemes including the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF), eco-scheme, Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and transfers of entitlements.
The department has been helping farmers to make their applications in recent weeks through its in-person BISS clinics at locations around the country and there are three more clinics scheduled for next week:
| Date | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 6 | Minella Hotel, Clonmel | 10:00a.m - 4:30p.m |
| Wednesday, May 7 | Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown | 10:00a.m - 4:30p.m |
| Thursday, May 8 | DAFM offices, Clonakilty | 10:00a.m - 4:30p.m |
Farmers can also contact the Direct Payments Helpdesk on 057-8674422. The lines will be open for extended hours in the run-up to the application deadline as follows:
- Between 9:00a.m and 9:00p.m from Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 9;
- Between 9:30a.m and 5:00p.m on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11;
- Between 9:00a.m and 9:00p.m on Monday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 14;
- Between 9:00a.m and 12 midnight on Thursday, May 15.
DAFM staff will also be available to assist at the public counter in the department office in Portlaoise during these extended opening hours.
In person consultations are available until half an hour before closing time on each of the days.
Farmers must apply for BISS and other area-based payments using the department's online facility agfood.ie. They must log onto www.agfood.ie and click on the BISS/area-based schemes link to start their applications.
Alternatively, farmers can contact a Farm Advisory System (FAS) approved advisor to make the application on their behalf.
Should farmers wish to contact the department in relation to online applications they can do so at:
- 049 4368288 - in relation to queries on registering for www.agfood.ie – e.g., queries on lost passwords, how to register;
- 057 8674422 in relation to queries on completing the BISS application or to request a paper copy of the Terms and Conditions.
