Latest news with #BISS
Agriland
6 hours ago
- Business
- Agriland
How much were BISS payments worth to your county in 2024?
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has confirmed that Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) payments were worth over €688 million last year. The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness. BISS replaced the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2023. Minister Heydon said that the payment is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability. "While BISS replaced BPS in 2023 as part of the new CAP, some Pillar 1 funding was allocated to the Complementary Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) as well as BISS. Therefore, direct county comparisons between BPS and BISS will show differences," he said. The amount of funding distributed to each county under BISS since its introduction can be seen in the following table: County 2024 BISS payment total 2023 BISS payment total Carlow €11,951,400 €12,229,514 Cavan €20,133,221 €20,009,955 Clare €28,329,480 €27,913,532 Cork €85,690,275 €86,219,045 Donegal €38,076,559 €36,880,125 Dublin €4,925,088 €4,944,086 Galway €51,003,189 €50,544,889 Kerry €42,708,864 €41,369,480 Kildare €16,031,008 €16,318,988 Kilkenny €26,373,517 €26,868,563 Laois €19,666,917 €20,078,128 Leitrim €13,273,501 €12,816,677 Limerick €28,395,348 €28,302,359 Longford €10,732,608 €10,772,179 Louth €9,702,365 €9,889,250 Mayo €46,334,704 €44,948,179 Meath €27,582,841 €28,050,912 Monaghan €15,079,196 €15,300,592 Offaly €18,540,259 €18,760,008 Roscommon €23,590,597 €23,384,194 Sligo €15,821,036 €15,389,231 Tipperary €50,258,016 €50,989,278 Waterford €19,871,787 €20,048,387 Westmeath €18,268,933 €18,236,329 Wexford €29,873,279 €30,503,919 Wicklow €16,345,056 €16,276,123 Total €688,559,044 €687,043,922 Source: DAFM The figures show that Cork received the highest total payments under BISS in 2024 at almost €85.7 million, which was down on the previous year (€86.2 million) Galway was in second position on €51 million, closely followed by Tipperary €50.2 million, while Mayo took fourth place with €46.3 million. Dublin was the county with the lowest amount of payments at €4.9 million. Minister Heydon added that BISS payments for this year will commence in October 2025. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) previously confirmed that a total of 123,705 applications for BISS and other area-based schemes were submitted this year. This figure is down from 124,274 scheme applications in 2024. Cork was again the county with the highest number of applications at 12,181, followed by Galway on 11,603 and Mayo with 10,942.
Agriland
7 hours ago
- Business
- Agriland
Appeal finds 'insufficient' notification of SCEP changes
The Agriculture Appeals Office has found that insufficient notification was given by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) around changes to the terms and conditions of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme (SCEP). The finding was made following an appeal lodged by a farmer who said he was not aware of the change in the terms and conditions when he was applying for the scheme. During an oral hearing, the farmer explained that he had set his programme reference in accordance with the original terms and conditions and as set out by the department at SCEP information meetings. The farmer said there was no indication on the terms and conditions of their date of publication, while the version on the DAFM website did not state it was an amended version. The farmer added that there was no reason to suspect that an amendment had been included relating to the calculation of the programme reference. The department stated that the original terms and conditions for SCEP, published on March 21, 2023, allowed new entrants to declare a programme reference and yearly reference of their own choosing at application stage. The oral hearing was told that the farmer who had made the appeal chose a reference of 100. DAFM said the terms of the scheme were amended on May 11, 2023 and stated that the programme reference chosen by the new entrant should reflect the number of eligible suckler cows that they estimate will produce an eligible calf in scheme year 1. The department informed the herdowner that his reference number was reduced to 63. DAFM noted that the minister for agriculture has the right to alter terms and conditions and that the amended version was uploaded to the department website and that updated instructionswere given on the online application. In deciding to allow the farmer's appeal, the appeals officer said that the information provided by the department was not consistent between information meetings, the original terms and conditions and the online application instructions. "Notification to stakeholders was insufficient and the lack of dated versions of the terms and conditions made it difficult to identify amendments. "Both farmers and their advisors worked on the basis of the information provided at the information meetings and were not aware of the amendment," the Agriculture Appeals Office annual report said. Established in 2002, the Agriculture Appeals Office provides an appeals service to farmers who are not satisfied with decisions of DAFM concerning designated schemes operated by the department. 483 appeals were made by farmers in relation to farm schemes in 2024, down from 624 in the previous year. SCEP was the scheme with the highest number of appeals last year at 104. This was followed by 67 appeals for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme and 47 each for the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) and the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. Of the appeals which were allowed or partially allowed in 2024, 36 were SCEP appeals, 25 related to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and 23 were for TAMS. Among the appeals that were disallowed there were 78 related to SCEP.
Irish Independent
23-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Dromahair to Skreen-Dromard
Dromahair Development Association blotto draw Our next blotto draw will take place in the Depot on Tuesday, July 22, and our jackpot will be €8,050. Watch out for the QR Code stickers that are up in different locations around the village. They will give you quick access to the draw online. Get your envelopes now in local businesses, we need your support. Good luck and thank you everyone for your continued much needed support. Rural Social Scheme Workers Location: North/Mid Leitrim. Jobs: Environmental, administration, social care and caretaking. Must have active family herd number with an active BISS application. Must be receiving a Social Welfare payment. For more information or to apply contact brianmcgloin@ or 086 8521791. Killenummery Community Centre Killenummery Community Centre this month: Mondays. Line dancing with Gary 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. male female Great fun, great exercise. Come along. Wednesday 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. bowls. Join us for a few end of bowls. Both male and female. Clothes recycling bank at centre Also R RETURN bin (orange) at centre. For just the R recycling bottles and can. If you are out walking and find some discarded do drop them in. Helps with our fundraising and environment. Info on any of the above contact Thelma at 086 6017835 Notes Items for local notes to before midday on Thursday please. Manorhamilton Show Day Countdown With just three days to go it certainly is countdown time for Manorhamilton's eagerly Agricultural Show, which takes place in the Bee Park on Saturday, July 26. Meanwhile agricultural shows have taken place in Manorhamilton since the 1840s. The original shows were held at the Market House where there were exhibits competitions for two categories of entrants, namely, gentry and non-gentry. Regarding the twenty-first century's show's revival a spokesperson for the Manorhamilton Show's Committee says in the 2025 Show brochure 'this year marks a truly special milestone – the 25th anniversary of the Manorhamilton Show, a headline event that proudly showcases the spirits and talents of our rural North Leitrim community. 'What began as a simple idea over a social evening in Gurns Milestone pub in 1999 – sparked a few local visionaries eager to revive the tradition – has grown into one of the most anticipated events in the local calendar. 'The success of the show over a quarter of a century is a testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of generations of committee members, volunteers, stewards, generous sponsors, both near and far. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'While much has changed over the years, the heart and soul of the show remains constant: the tireless volunteers who freely give of their time, before, during and after the event to ensure everything runs smoothly. 'Their dedication is the foundation on which the show is built and a reflection of all that makes Manorhamilton such a special place. The Manorhamilton Show is now more than an event – it's a tradition, a celebration and a reflection of all we hold dear, our farming roots, community pride, and our shared rural heritage. 'As the 2025 Committee we are honoured to carry the torch this year and are committed to delivering a show that reflects the significance of this 25th anniversary. We invite everyone to come along, celebrate with us and make this landmark year one to remember.' Men's Group Play The Men's Group extends 'a big thank you to all our sponsors for our draw' at the North Leitrim Men's Group Play, 'The Actor, The Director and the Inspector' which took place last Thursday night, July 10 in the Bee Park Community Centre and featured great performances from debut actor, Dean Houlihan, as well as John Lyon, Michael McLoughlin, Richard Houlihan, Paul McPadden and Joel Smith. 'Canadian singer songwriter Brian McAnoy did the music and sound effects. 'A big thank you to Eugene McLaughlin who was MC on the night, wrote many of the best jokes in the play and played every role in rehearsal. The funds raised go to two artistic projects, the Dublin Premiere of Ante Beckett in April by Joel Smith and the development of a cult movie project by Dean Houlihan.' Glencar Circuit Classes Low intensity strength circuit classes start in Glencar Community Centre on Friday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and continue every Friday. For information and to book a phone call Chris at 089 2358584. Spaces are limited. District News Deadline Please email all notes for next week's Sligo Champion Manorhamilton District News to PJ Leddy – leddypatrick10@ by 6 p.m. at the latest on Thursday, July 24. Riverstown RIVERSTOWN GOLF CLASSIC Shamrock Gaels' annual golf classic takes place in Castle Dargan on Saturday, July 26. Bookings are now being taken for tee times, please contact Niall Kearns at 086 8599792 or Eugene Carroll at 085 8747914 to book. The 2025 Cúl Camp portal is now open with the Shamrock Gaels camp taking place from Monday, July 28, to Friday, August 1. Book places now on CEMETERY MASS The annual Cemetery Mass will be held in Ballyrush graveyard on the Bank Holiday Monday, August 4, at midday JAMES MORRISON FESTIVAL The 33rd annual James Morrison Festival will take place in Riverstown from Friday, August 1, to Monday, August 4. On Friday, August 1, Michael Hurley will officially open the festival in the Morrison Teach Ceoil at 7.30 p.m., this will be followed by the commemorative concert at 9 p.m. On Saturday, August 2, the John Callaghan Memorial sean nós Dancing competition will take place at 1 p.m. in Riverstown Community Hall. A Musical Tribute at the James Morrison Memorial, Drumfin will take place at 6 p.m. followed by a reception in the Sligo Folk Park at 6.45 p.m. Aifreann Na Féile takes place at 12.30 p.m. on Sunday, August 3. There will a Sunday afternoon céilí in the Morrison Cottage from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. A junior session will take place in the Community Hall from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Commemorative Address will be given by Andrew Cadden and Ryan Sheridan in the Teach Ceoil at 7 p.m. followed by refreshments. On Monday, August 4, a session with Brian Mostyn and friends in Morrison Teach Ceoil will bring the festival to a close. Skreen-Dromard July Social Dances The second of the July Social Dances in the Skreen-Dromard Community Centre will take place on Saturday, July 26, when music will be supplied by Hughie Turner and Peter McCloskey. Dancing commences at 9 p.m. and everyone welcome. Skreen Garda Barracks Skreen Barracks is now manned every Tuesday, with the opening hours of 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dementia Social Inclusive Club The club meet every second Wednesday in the Skreen-Dromard Community Centre from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. with the next meeting on Wednesday, July 30, and every two weeks from then. The club now wishes to expand and engage the wider community in the following areas: Dromore West Easkey Enniscrone Ballina Ballisodare, Collooney and Coolaney. If you live in any of these areas you are very welcome to come along on any of the bi-monthly Wednesdays at the Skreen-Dromard Community Centre where you can enjoy a cup of tea and chat. For further details or enquiries ring Erin Lynch at 087 3972583. St Patrick's GAA Work has commenced on the new pitch development at the community centre, Skreen. The pitch will be closed for the next 14 months to facilitate this work. In the interest of health and safety, everyone is asked to stay clear of the fenced off area and to also be very aware of all the extra activity while entering and exiting the centre while this work is ongoing. Thanks to everyone for their co-operation with this. Yoga Class in Beltra Hall Yoga Classes started in Beltra Hall on Tuesday, April 22, at 6.15 p.m. This Class is suitable for beginners. For further details or to book a place contact Aisling at 085 1415401. Annual Cemetery Mass Dates The annual Cemetery Mass in St Mary's Cemetery Skreen will take place on Sunday, July 27, at 11.30 a.m. The annual Mass in Dromard Old Cemetery will take place on Saturday, August 3, at 6.30 p.m. to the Holy Hill Community Skreen on the recent celebration of 30 years in the diocese of Killala. The Holy Hill Community have provided a prayerful presence and a place of welcome and peace in the local Skreen area. A Forever Home Fundraiser A Forever Home Fundraiser has been started to support local man Nicholas Leonard and his Daughter Cara in Memory of Sharon. Your support will be gratefully appreciated for this very worthy cause. Donations can be made through the idonate link idonate. or to Frances in Beltra post office. Keep Fit for Seniors A new eight Week Programme Cycle of Keep Fit for seniors started on Friday, May 30, in the Skreen-Dromard Community Centre. All welcome and for any queries contact 087 6649635. Beltra Country Market Beltra Coutry Market is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. with lots of home baking, garden produce, fresh crepes and beautifully handcrafted gifts and cards for every occasion. Free Parking. Beltra Hall F91 VX97. New members are always welcome. Please support your local market. Bereavement Support Group This Group meet on the second Wednesday of every month in the Newman Institute in Ballina at 8 p.m. No booking is necessary. The next meeting will be on June 11 and everyone is welcome. Skreen-Dromard Parent and Toddler Group. The parent and Toddler Group will meet every Thursday in the Skreen-Dromard Community Centre from 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Connect, enjoy a cuppa and have fun with your little one. €3 per family for ages 0 to 36 months. Skreen-Dromard Community Care-Active Retirement Group The Skreen-Dromard Community Care-Active Retirement Group have resumed from Wednesday, January 22, with Chair Yoga led by Grainne McGowan from 11 a.m. to midday These gentle exercises are chair based and suitable for all abilities. Everyone welcome. Sligo Youth Darts Academy This Academy for boys and girls eight years to 17years is now starting up. This is a great opportunity to enjoy playing Darts and use as an educational environment to improve a player's Maths. Registration took place on June 21 at the MCR Community Centre, Mail Coach Road, Sligo. Only those registered can play on Thursday evenings when play starts on June 26 from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone, who couldn't make it to the Registration Evening should contact the Founder of this club – Skreen native Damien Hennigan at 087 6509876. Beltra Roof Replacement Fund The fundraiser for the Roof Replacement on Beltra Hall has now reached it's Target thanks to the generosity and support of the local community and beyond. This generosity is greatly appreciated and will secure the hall for the future. Work on the Roof Replacement will commence immediately after the annual Beltra Agricultural Show in September. Sympathy Deepest sympathy is extended to Paddy Davis and the Davis Family, Toberpatrick and to Colin Davis and the Davis Family Ardabrone on the recent death of their Sister Mary B. (Marlyn)| Davis late of New York and Ardabrone. Sympathy is also extended to all her Relatives and friends in the local area.
Irish Examiner
10-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Your Partner in Farm Success: Maximising Your Farm's Potential with FDC Agri Consultants
Since its establishment in 1973, Agri Consultancy has been integral to FDC Group as one of its 10 key service offerings. In recent years, FDC has expanded its Agri team to meet the changing needs of farmers due to the increase in schemes available, as well as grants claimable through TAMS funding. FDC Agri Consultants are knowledgeable in the preparation of applications for all schemes and grants. We advise our clients on how to maximise these applications, and how to structure their business to maintain maximum flexibility for their farm within these schemes. Alan O'Mahony, agri manager in Cork, Kanturk and Midleton. Here are some schemes our team can help you with: Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS): More commonly known as the single farm payment, FDC Agri Consultants are DAFM Farm Advisory Service approved agents for the online completion and submission of the annual BISS applications. We manage the completion and submission of entitlement transactions for leases, sales and gifts. Additionally, we manage applications for Areas of Natural Constraint (formerly Disadvantaged Area), CISYF (formerly young farmers scheme) and National Reserve scheme. Nitrates Derogation: We provide a comprehensive service to clients, whereby the annual records and Derogation application are prepared and submitted, as well the periodical Nutrient Management Plan and soil sampling. We help our clients stay focused, current and compliant with the ever-changing regulations of the Nitrates Derogation. We maintain regular contact with our clients throughout the year to ensure stock, fertiliser and lime stats stay within limits. In FDC Group, we assert the absolute vitality of Nitrates Derogation in Ireland. We take great pride and responsibility in helping our clients understand and comply. ACRES: When applications opened, FDC assisted in ACRES and created Farm Sustainability Plans for our clients. We now provide the ACRES scoring assessments for clients, as well as NPI (Nonproductive investment) and Landscape Actions applications. TAMS: Under the TAMS Ill scheme, FDC Agri Consultants maximise the funding available to clients before the start of any major investment. FDC Agri Consultants then determine whether the investment you are enquiring about is available at 40% or 60% grant aid. The TAMS Ill covers, but is not exclusive to, animal housing, slurry storage, dairy equipment, animal handing facilities, solar panels, fencing, underpasses, as well as grant aids for pigs, poultry and equine facilities. The introduction of a separate funding stream offering 60% grant aid for slurry storage facilities to all farmers this January was a welcome boost for the industry. Registered Farm Partnerships: FDC have facilitated numerous partnerships with varying partners such as existing farmers, young, trained farmers and limited companies. These arrangements can be established not only to involve the next generation in the farm business and improve work-life balance, but also to strengthen long-term succession planning, encourage knowledge transfer, and position the farm to benefit from higher TAMS grant aid rates; ultimately supporting the farm's sustainability, growth and resilience. In the case of multi-herd partnerships, collaboration simplify how a farm operates. We build adaptable partnerships that allow retirement or incorporation without harming the original agreement. Various Beef & Sheep Schemes: We apply for all sheep and beef schemes that may be relevant to our clients. As a part of FDC group, FDC Agri Consultants collaborate with FDC Accountants Ltd and FDC Tax Department Ltd to create farm structures, maximise scheme opportunities and offer comprehensive succession services. By partnering with experts across FDC Group, FDC Agri Consultants deliver a quality service and total business solution for our clients, completely unique to each client's farm, future and legacy. For more information on our services, please visit
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Unregistered water extractions under scrutiny in farm inspections
DAFM officials are enforcing the requirement for water extraction to be registered with the EPA, with at least one farmer sanctioned, despite bringing his case to the Agriculture Appeals Office in 2024. The EPA register for water abstractions has been in place since December 2023. As a result, farm inspectors check if water is being taken from private wells, boreholes, rivers, or lakes. They estimate the maximum daily water requirement for the farm, and compare it with the 25 cubic metres (5,500 gallons) of water per day, above which a farmer is required to register their extraction of water with the Environmental Protection Agency. Last year, an unnamed farmer appealed his or her sanction imposed after the Department identified that the volume of water being extracted from a well on the holding exceeded the 25 cubic metres per day threshold, and that the well had not been registered with the EPA. The farmer submitted an appeal on the grounds of not receiving a copy of the 2023 BISS Handbook for Conditionality Requirements, in which the requirement to register wells was first included. The appellant said he was unaware of the requirement, and that there is a total lack of knowledge of this requirement among the farming community, which is reflected in the very small number of well registrations. The well was the only deficiency found in a full conditionality inspection of the farm. The farmer said the introduction of the BISS, and other new schemes in 2023, involved significant changes, and this minor requirement was overlooked. However, the Appeals Officer said the BISS Terms and Conditions must be read, in conjunction with the Handbook for Conditionality Requirements, and the controls over abstraction of fresh surface water and groundwater, and the requirement to register such wells are clearly set out. "On that basis, there are no grounds for overturning the decision of the Department", said the officer. With the disallowance of the appeal, it was noted that a lack of awareness of a requirement does not excuse a person from responsibility for failure to implement that requirement. The Agriculture Appeals Office, which the farmer availed of, offers a fair and efficient appeals service to participants in schemes administered by the DAFM, who were unsuccessful in the internal review of Department decisions they were unhappy with. In 2024, the SCEP was the scheme giving rise to most appeals, which numbered 104, compared to 67 appeals of BISS decisions. In 2024, the number of appeals received by the Office was 483, down from 624 in 2023, and down 23% compared to the ten-year average of 630. According to the DAFM, many factors may account for this decrease, including the BISS application system, which allows for early identification of errors in online applications, and a grace period for the correction of such errors. There were also 441 open appeals carried over from previous years, and 30 appeals were carried over into 2025. The average time taken to close an appeal in 2024 was 73 days, and 43% of appeals were allowed, partially allowed, or revised. Read More Ask a solicitor: I live abroad and worry I might be targeted by squatters
