DAFM to hold in-person clinics to help with online applications
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has announced today (Friday, March 21), a series of in-person clinics to assist farmers in making online applications for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes.
Staff from DAFM will provide one-to-one support to assist farmers in submitting their scheme applications in advance of the closing date of May 15.
Speaking about the online support, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said: "These clinics have been exceptionally popular in recent years and offer an opportunity for farmers to engage directly with officials."
"We have excellent advisors to support farmers in making their BISS applications, but where farmers are not in a position to engage an advisor the clinics are an excellent means of ensuring that the BISS application is submitted correctly and on-time.”
A total of 16 farmer clinics are scheduled to take place from 10:00a.m - 4.30p.m, and will be of particular use for farmers who do not have Farm Advisory System (FAS) advisor to assist. A schedule for all clinics can be seen below:
| Venue | Date |
|---|---|
| Ennis, Co. Clare – The Woodstock Hotel | Tuesday, April 1 |
| Oranmore, Co. Galway – Oranmore Lodge Hotel | Wednesday, April 2 |
| Athlone, Co. Roscommon – Athlone Springs Hotel | Tuesday, April 8 |
| Tuam, Co. Galway – Ard Rí House Hotel | Wednesday, April 9 |
| Ballina, Co. Mayo – Great National Hotel | Thursday, April 10 |
| Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford – Riverside Park Hotel | Tuesday, April 15 |
| Killarney, Co. Kerry – Randles Hotel | Wednesday, April 16 |
| Raheen, Co. Limerick - DAFM offices | Thursday, April 17 |
| Trim, Co. Meath – Knightsbrook Hotel | Tuesday, April 22 |
| Donegal Town – The Central Hotel | Wednesday, April 23 |
| Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim - DAFM offices | Thursday, April 24 |
| Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan – Shirley Arms Hotel | Wednesday, April 30 |
| Cavan - DAFM offices | Thursday, May 1 |
| Clonmel, Co. Tipperary - Minella Hotel | Tuesday, May 6 |
| Mitchelstown, Co. Cork - Firgrove Hotel | Wednesday, May 7 |
| Clonakilty, Co. Cork - DAFM offices | Thursday, May 8 |
The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability. BISS is funded by the EU.
It is advisable for farmers planning to attend the clinics to bring details of their agfood.ie login, where available, and details of herd number, PPSN etc to verify their identity.
