Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon this week issued correspondence urging farmers to submit their Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) applications as soon as possible.

“It is critical that farmers ensure that their BISS application is submitted on time. Supports are available through in person clinics next week and online,” the minister said.

“Also extended opening hours will operate in Portlaoise if farmers wish to call in and discuss their application with staff from my Department.”

There are three remaining BISS in-person clinics scheduled to take place next week. The first of these is on Tuesday 5 May in the Ard Rí House Hotel, Tuam, Co Galway.

This is followed by a clinic in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, on Wednesday 6 May, with the final event taking place on Thursday 7 May in Randles Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry.

All events take place from 10am to 4.30pm.

The latest figures for BISS and area-based scheme applications show 78,223 applications submitted as of Wednesday morning.

Applications are progressing well, with approximately 7,000 more applications submitted compared to the corresponding period in 2025. This leaves about 50,000 applications to submit before the deadline of 15 May 2026.

Extended hours

The minister added that farmers can also avail of assistance from the direct payments helpdesk on 057-8674-422, with lines open for extended hours in the run up to the application deadline as follows:

  • Between 9.15am and 5pm on Saturday, 9 May and Sunday, 10 May.
  • Between 9.15am and 9pm from Monday, 11 May to Thursday, 14 May.
  • Between 9.15am and midnight on Friday, 15 May.

    • This excludes closing times for lunch from 12.45pm to 2pm on all dates.

    In addition, Department of Agriculture personnel will also be available to assist farmers at the public counter in the Department of Agriculture public counter in Portlaoise. In-person consultations will be available until half an hour before closing time on each of the days listed above.

    Online queries

    Applications must be submitted online through the MyAgfood.ie facility by an applicant or an approved Farm advisory System (FAS) adviser acting on their behalf. Anyone wishing to contact the Department regarding online access can contact 049-4368-288.

    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, including a suite of other area-based schemes.