Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith, has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, of the commencement of advance payments under the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS).  

Deputy Brendan Smith said: “I am delighted to welcome that today, advance payments under the BISS & CRISS, worth over €25.3 million to 7572 farmers here in Cavan-Monaghan, have commenced. I know just how crucial these payments are for family farm income and how important they are to businesses in Cavan-Monaghan, bringing a welcome boost in cashflow to the rural economy. Fianna Fáil in government is committed to ensuring that these scheme payments continue to issue in the most efficient way possible to ensure that these vital supports are delivered to farmers in a timely manner.” 

The BISS & CRISS advance payments are commencing today at a rate of 70%. In previous years Greening payments would have issued with the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) while in 2023 payments under the new Eco-Schemes will commence from next week. 

Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days and the department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria.  Farmers with outstanding requests for documentation from the department to return are urged to take immediate action to allow payments to issue. 

To facilitate farmers wishing to contact the department regarding their BISS or ANC payments, extended hours are in place for the Direct Payments Helpdesk. From Tuesday 24 October to Friday 27 October, the Helpdesk will be available up to 8.30pm. Farmers can ring the Helpdesk at 057-8674422. Farmers can also submit any queries they may have online via www.agfood.ie. 

ENDS 24/10/2023