Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
151. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the basic income support for sustainability payment could be made earlier the year to facilitate farmers paying their contractors in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44494/23]
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I know how crucial all payments are to our farm families and I am committed to delivering all payments associated with my Department as quickly as possible. However, advance payments for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability(BISS) cannot be made before October 16th in a given year. This is laid down in EU Regulations. The BISS is fully funded by the EU and is subject to strict legal and audit controls.
With 2023 being the first year of the new CAP Strategic Plan, a whole range of new schemes had to be introduced along with substantial changes to existing schemes over a relatively short time period. Farmers were given an extra two weeks to apply for BISS in May 2023 and BISS payments for 2023 are scheduled to commence on 24th October. My Department is committed to bringing BISS payment dates in future years back in line with the previous programme (closer to October 16th) once the technological and administrative challenges brought about by the new CAP programme have been fully addressed.
