Payments totalling €14.56 million to over 2,500 Offaly farmers begin
Payments under two important payments begin issuing to farmers across the county from this week
A TOTAL of €14.56 million in farm payments will begin issuing to 2,581 farmers across County Offaly from this week.
The payments form part of a national €551 million package announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) schemes.
Payments will begin appearing in farmers' bank accounts over the coming days, with the Department of Agriculture continuing to process outstanding applications as they become eligible.
Farmers with queries regarding their payments can contact the Department's Direct Payments Helpdesk on 057 8674422 or visit www.myagfood.ie.
Welcoming the news, Fianna Fail Deputy Tony McCormack said the payments would provide important financial support to farming families while delivering a welcome boost to the wider rural economy.
"Farming is a hugely important part of life in Offaly, and these payments of almost €14.6 million will make a real difference to thousands of farming families across the county.
"Farmers are dealing with significant costs, from feed and fertiliser to machinery, fuel and energy. These payments provide vital income support and help farmers plan and manage their businesses with greater certainty.
"But the benefits go well beyond the farm gate. When farmers have money to spend, that money circulates through our local economy, supporting agricultural suppliers, machinery dealers, shops and other businesses in towns and villages throughout Offaly.
His Fine Gael counterpart Deputy John Clendennen said the commencement of payments would be welcomed by farm families throughout Offaly, particularly following the recent delay arising from public sector industrial action.
“These payments represent a significant injection of €14,557,904.79 directly into the Offaly farming community and will provide important financial support to over 2,580 farmers across the county.
“Farmers continue to face considerable pressures on their incomes, with rising input costs and uncertainty across the agricultural sector. The delivery of these payments is extremely important, not only for individual farm businesses but also for the wider rural economy.
“I appreciate that the six-day delay caused concern for many farmers, and I welcome confirmation from Minister Heydon that payments are now proceeding.”
Deputy Tony McCormack stressed that supporting farm incomes is also about supporting the economic strength of rural communities."
The Tullamore based Dail Deputy also welcomed confirmation that the advance payment rate has increased to 75% for 2026.
"I know the six-day delay in issuing these payments caused concern for farmers, and I welcome the work undertaken by Minister Heydon to resolve the issue and get the money moving.
"The increased advance payment rate of 75% is particularly welcome, as it means more money reaching farming families at this stage of the year.
"Farmers work hard, take considerable financial risks and make an enormous contribution to our economy. It is important that we continue to recognise that contribution and ensure they receive the supports they are entitled to as quickly and efficiently as possible."