Department to hold nationwide series of in-person Farmer Clinics for BISS 2025 and other area related schemes
- Published on: 21 March 2025
- Last updated on: 28 March 2025
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today announced a series of in-person Farmer Clinics to assist farmers in making their applications online for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes.
The BISS Farmer Clinics will take place from 10am - 4.30pm and staff from the department will provide one-to-one support to assist farmers to submit their scheme applications well in advance of the closing date of 15 May 2025. These clinics have proved very popular in past years with farmers.
Speaking on the clinics, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said:
“These clinics have been exceptionally popular in recent years and offer an opportunity for farmers to engage directly with officials from my department. We have excellent advisors to support farmers in making their BISS applications, but where farmers are not in a position to engage an advisor the clinics are an excellent means of ensuring that the BISS application is submitted correctly and on-time.”
In total, 16 Farmer Clinics are scheduled and offer an opportunity for farmers to be supported by department staff in making a range of applications related to area-based support schemes, such as BISS. These clinics are particularly useful for farmers who do not have an FAS approved advisor to assist them with their application.
| Venue | Date | Times |
| Ennis – The Woodstock Hotel | Tuesday 1st April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Oranmore – Oranmore Lodge Hotel | Wednesday 2nd April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Athlone – Athlone Springs Hotel | Tuesday 8th April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Tuam – Ard Rí House Hotel | Wednesday 9th April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Ballina – Great National Hotel | Thursday 10th April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Enniscorthy – Riverside Park Hotel | Tuesday 15th April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Killarney – Dromhall Hotel | Wednesday 16th April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Limerick – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Offices, Raheen | Thursday 17th April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Trim – Knightsbrook Hotel | Tuesday 22nd April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Donegal Town – The Central Hotel | Wednesday 23rd April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Drumshanbo – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Offices | Thursday 24th April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Carrickmacross – Shirley Arms Hotel | Wednesday 30th April | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Cavan – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Offices | Thursday 1st May | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Clonmel – Minella Hotel | Tuesday 6th May | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Mitchelstown – Firgrove Hotel | Wednesday 7th May | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Clonakilty – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Offices | Thursday 8th May | 10am – 4.30pm |
Notes
The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between society and agriculture that ensures a stable supply of food, safeguards farmers’ income, protects the environment and keeps rural areas vibrant. EU countries implement the CAP at national level with a CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.
The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability. BISS is funded by the EU.
It is advisable for farmers planning to attend the clinics to bring details of their agfood.ie login, where available, and details of herd number, PPSN to verify their identity.
For more information, visit www.gov.ie/cap.