The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) entitlement payment has replaced the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlement system. The BISS is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability. Click on this link from more information on the BISS Scheme
Farmers are paid per hectare of eligible land farmed and for which they hold entitlements. Under the scheme, this is called an eligible hectare. The maximum rate that you could be paid per hectare is determined by the value of the entitlements you hold.
The number and values of entitlements each farmer holds, depends on factors such as:
- payment rates and number of entitlements received under previous direct payment schemes
- adjustments each year to move values towards the national average (convergence)
- transfers of entitlements between farmers
Each entitlement the farmer holds must be supported by an Eligible Hectare to qualify for payment.
Maximum and minimum payment
The maximum payment that will be granted to any one farmer under the BISS, in any one scheme year is capped at an effective rate of €66,000. No payment will be made under the BISS where the amount is less than €100.
An advance payment is normally made in October of the year of application. Balancing payments under the BISS commence in December.
If you do not meet all of the conditions of the scheme you may receive a reduced payment or no payment.
The contact details for the BISS Section are as follows:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government Buildings, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, R32 PRA6
National Reserve (Young Farmer Category)
The National Reserve (Young Farmer Category) scheme provides income support to young farmers setting up farms.
How to Qualify
To qualify for National Reserve (Young Farmer Category), you must be:
- participating in the 2024 Basic Income Support for Sustainability scheme under a herd number on which you are included
- aged no more than 40 years of age at any time during the calendar year in which you first submit an application under the National Reserve
- setting up as the head of a farm for the first time or have set one up during the five years preceding the first submission of the National Reserve application
- finished a recognised course of education in agriculture achieving an award at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications or its equivalent by 15 May 2024
If you are farming as part of a group, for example a partnership or a company, the group may be considered eligible for the scheme. See the conditions of the scheme at the bottom of this page.
Rates of Payment
Successful applicants to the National Reserve receive an allocation of entitlements at national average value (€155/Entitlement in 2023) or a top-up to the national average value on entitlements that are below that level.
The maximum number of entitlements or top-ups allocated per applicant is 50.
2024 National Reserve and Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers Terms and Conditions