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.

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