Farmers need to be alert that the deadline for 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) applications is just over two weeks away and they should submit their applications as soon as possible.
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.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon stated: “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. Also extended opening hours will operate in Portlaoise if farmers wish to call in and discuss their application with staff from my Department.”
In-person BISS clinics have been running at various locations around the country and there are three more clinics scheduled for next week:
| Tuesday 5th May | Galway (Tuam) - Ard Rí House Hotel | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Wednesday 6th May | Cork (Mitchelstown) - Firgrove Hotel | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Thursday 7th May | Kerry (Killarney) - Randles Hotel | 10am – 4.30pm |
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
Farmers must apply for BISS and other area-based payments using the department's online facility MyAgFood.ie. They must log onto www.MyAgFood.ie and click on the BISS/area-based schemes link to start their applications.
Alternatively, farmers can contact a Farm Advisory System (FAS) approved Advisor to make the application on their behalf. For a list of FAS approved Advisors, please go to https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/farm-advisory-system-fas/
Should farmers wish to contact the department in relation to online applications they can do so at:
- 049 4368288 - in relation to queries on registering for www.MyAgFood.ie – for example queries on lost passwords, how to register,
- 057 8674422 in relation to queries on completing the BISS application or to request a paper copy of the Terms and Conditions
To learn more about the supports available under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, click here.

