Latest news with #BasicIncomeSupportforSustainabilityScheme
Agriland
15-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
DAFM confirms ‘issues' with IT systems ahead of BISS deadline
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that it experienced some issues with access to IT systems, including the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), yesterday afternoon (May 14). A DAFM spokesperson told Agriland that users were unable to access the system for 'a very short period of time', believed to be approximately 15 minutes. The spokesperson said: 'Once access was restored, the system did run slowly for a period of time for some customers, but farmers and advisors were able to submit forms. 'System performance has been fully restored and application numbers are on track.' Today (Thursday, May 15) is the final day to apply for the BISS scheme, and the department said there are no plans to extend the deadline. It said: 'As of 10:30 am (Thursday, May 15) 120,769 applications have been received, which is approximately 97% of expected applications.' DAFM Applications for the BISS seem to be following the same trend that is usually seen with BISS applications, with weekly application figures increasing notably as the deadline approaches. BISS opened for applications on February 11. By April 23, the application figure was just shy of 64,000. Over the next two weeks to Wednesday of last week, some 30,000 more applications had been made, and in the last week alone, around 25,000 further applications have been made. Last year, 124,274 BISS and other area-based scheme applications were submitted to the department from across the country by the deadline. It is expected that applications will continue to be received by the department throughout today right up to the deadline. The BISS deadline is also the deadline for the related submission of applications for other schemes including the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF), eco-scheme, Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, and transfers of entitlements. Farmers who are seeking support with their applications can contact the department's Direct Payments Helpdesk on 057-8674422.
Extra.ie
24-04-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Irish farmers reminded of deadline for EU support
Irish farmers are being reminded of an EU support that aims to ensure they can make a living from their farming. The closing date for applications for the 2025 year is Thursday, May 15, with information packs sent out to farmers with details of the online application. The Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS) replaced the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). Irish farmers are being reminded of an EU support that aims to ensure they can make a living from their farming. Pic: Getty Images In order to be eligible for the payment you must have at least one eligible hectare, a registered herd number (or have applied for a herd number) and be an active farmer. An active farmer is a person that manages or farms their land. They must have at least the equivalent of one ewe per hectare. They must also engaged in other farming activities such as silage or topping to be considered an active farmer. To qualify for the payment you do not need to own the land, but you must be leasing/renting it to show you have control of the land. In order to be eligible for the payment you must have at least one eligible hectare; a registered herd number (or have applied for a herd number) and be an active farmer. Pic: Getty Images Payment is based on the amount of land farmed, with the minimum at least one eligible hectare of land. Eligible hectares calculated and displayed on the BISS online system (it does not need to be manually calculated). In order for a hectare to be eligible it must be used for agricultural activity such as crop production as well as repeat harvests and growth of grass/ heather/ rushes. Beneficial features are also taken into consideration during the application process — you can have up to 50% of a land parcel comprising of beneficial features and it won't affect your application. These features include scrub, trees, woodland and habitat which all encourage and support biodiversity; habitat retention and space for nature. Pic: Getty Images Citizens Information states that recipients get one payment entitlement for one eligible hectare of land. The value of the payment can depend on a number of factors such as previous payment rates on payment schemes and allocations you may have received from the National Reserve. They add that the average payment is €155 for 2025. Check AG Food to check your own entitlements. All entitlements must be used within two years, otherwise they will be lost. Citizens Information states that recipients get one payment entitlement for one eligible hectare of land. Pic: Getty Images To apply for BISS, create an account on AG Food and you can apply online. You can also apply for other schemes and grants via this application. For those who require additional help, FAS (Farm Advisory System) advisors are on hand to help give advice on topics including grant and scheme applications. This is not a free service. Additionally, there are a number of clinics hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine ahead of the deadline date to help those who do not have FAS approved advisors. The deadline for applications is May 15, 2025, with late applications accepted until June 9 — late applications may be penalised.
