Advisers and farmers have a busy week ahead to get the last applications submitted for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes submitted by the deadline of Friday 15 May 2026.

The Department of Agriculture is operating extended opening hours to assist farmers. Its helpdesk, on 057-8674422, is open 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 personnel will also be available to assist farmers at the public counter in Portlaoise.

    In-person consultations will be available until half an hour before closing time on each of the days listed above.