Source: Government of Ireland
With the deadline of the 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) applications just over two weeks away, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, has urged farmers to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Minister Heydon stated:
The BISS deadline of midnight on Friday, 15 May is also the deadline for the related submission of applications for a range of other schemes including the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, ECO Scheme, Areas of Natural Constraints 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:
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 9.15am and 5.00pm on Saturday, 9 May and Sunday, 10 May
- between 9.15am and 9:00pm on Monday, 11 May to Thursday, 14 May
- between 9.15am and 12 midnight on Friday, 15 May
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.
Please note the helpdesk and public counter will be closed for lunch on all dates from 12.45 -2pm