BISS continues to be paid based on Payment Entitltements, for which an eligble hectare is held by an applicant, with all values below the average converging to 85% of the national average by 2026.

Eligibility:

• Meet the definition of an “Active Farmer”.
• Submit a BISS Application each year via the online application system, declaring their land located within the jurisdiction of Ireland.
• Hold one BISS payment entitlement for each eligible hectare claimed.

You are paid per hectare of eligible land farmed and for which you 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 may be made in October. 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.