Advance payments for the 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) schemes have begun for farmers in Ireland’s north-west, providing significant financial relief to rural communities.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Haydon confirmed the start of payments on Thursday, October 16. More than €53 million will flow into the local economies of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, according to Minister of State Marian Harkin.
County Allocations
The Department estimates total allocation for the north-west region at €53.1 million, distributed as follows:
Donegal receives €29.4 million across 7,701 herds, Sligo €12.8 million across 3,545 herds, and Leitrim €10.9 million across 3,153 herds.
Minister Harkin stressed that this support is essential for sustaining rural Ireland, particularly small and low-profit farms. “These payments are essential to sustaining family farmers and the rural communities that depend on them,” she said.
Wider Economic Impact
The Minister highlighted that this funding extends beyond individual farms to benefit local businesses, cooperatives and service providers. She described the allocation as both direct income for farming families and a much-needed economic boost for the entire north-west rural economy.
Harkin commended the Department of Agriculture for ensuring more than 93% of eligible applicants received payments promptly, consistent with the Farmers’ Charter commitment. She urged farmers with outstanding claims to contact the Department to complete their applications as soon as possible.
The payments represent a strong recognition of the important role small and medium-sized farms play in local sustainability and rural viability across the north-west region.