The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued a further update on applications for this year's Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).

A spokesperson for the department has confirmed to Agriland that a total of 78,223 applications for BISS and other area-based schemes had been submitted as of Monday (April 27).

The latest update shows that around 18,000 additional applications have been submitted to the department since April 15, when the total stood at 60,504 applications.

Of the current total, 71,222 applications have been submitted to the department by agents and 7,001 have been submitted by farmers.

The overall application figure marks an increase on this time last year when 72,548 applications had been submitted.

DAFM also confirmed that 74,980 applications have been submitted for Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme (ANC) and 76,664 for the Eco-Scheme.

BISS

The department has reminded farmers that the closing date for BISS applications is now just over two weeks away, falling on midnight of Friday, May 15, 2026.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has urged farmers to submit their applications as soon as possible.

The minister said that extended opening hours will operate at the department's office in Portlaoise if farmers wish to visit and discuss their application with staff from the department.

A series of in-person clinics run by the department to help farmers in making their BISS and other area-based scheme applications online is continuing.

The clinics will take place from 10:00a.m-4:30p.m and staff from the department will provide one-to-one support to farmers.

The remaining schedule for the clinics is as follows:

Farmers planning to attend the clinics must bring details of their MyAgfood.ie login, where available, and details of herd number, and PPSN to verify their identity.

Farmers must apply for BISS and other area-based payments using the department's online facility MyAgFood.