Department clinics as Basic Payment Scheme deadline looms

Farmers have until next Wednesday, May 15, to complete their Basic Payment Scheme application online.

In recent weeks, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been holding clinics for farmers around the country to assist them in making their BPS and Transfer of Entitlements applications online.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed said:

Online applications bring a range of benefits for farmers, and I am committed to ensuring that farmers have all the assistance they require in order to make these applications for essential scheme payments.

“With this in mind, I have asked officials in my department to put in place a further set of one-to-one clinics for farmers as the deadline of May 15 approaches.”

To date, 96,200 farmers have already applied online. Many have also availed of the invitation to sit down with a member of staff of the Department of Agriculture, during which they have completed their online application.

The department is extending its meeting hours in the build-up next Wednesday.

Farmers are invited to visit the department’s office at Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, from 9am and 5.30pm any working day this week.

Farmers can also seek help between 9.30am and 5pm on Saturday, May 11;

between 9am and 9pm on Monday, May 13, and Tuesday, May 14;

and from 9am to 12 midnight on Wednesday, May 15.

[/factbox]

The department is hosting 9am to 5pm clinics at its offices in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, on Tuesday, May 14, and in Farnham St, Cavan, Co Cavan, on Wednesday, May 15.

A full list of clinics is available online on the website — agriculture.gov.ie.