Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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359. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he accepts that there have been significant challenges with mapping relating to the BISS application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22214/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The application process for the 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Eco-Schemes and the other related schemes opened on 11 February 2025, which was over 1 week ahead of 2024.

As of Thursday 1 May 2025, 82,240 applications have been received for BISS and other area-based schemes, which is approximately 18% more than the number of applications received by this date, last year.

Officials from my Department continually engage with advisors and farmers through the normal support channels, including 16 in person clinics throughout Ireland. There are currently no significant challenges with mapping nor have there been since the system opened for applications. However, if an individual is having issues I would encourage them to make contact with my Department which remains available to provide assistance.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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360. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will rule out any attempt to impose mandatory ploughing and drainage restrictions on the use of peaty soil with respect to GAEC-2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22215/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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GAEC 2 is a mandatory condition of the payment of the Basic Income Support for Farmers (BISS). It is intended to protect peatlands and wetlands. The EU Regulation governing the CAP Strategic Plans requires all Member States to have a standard in place this year at the latest.

I have no powers, statutory or otherwise, to defer the application of this requirement. The standard proposed provides a baseline protection for carbon rich soils, while allowing agricultural activity to continue. Farmers with peatlands will be able to maintain existing drains, reseed grassland, and use shallow ploughing much as they do now.

New drains are also allowed, subject to the relevant planning legislation, which is already a requirement.

Therefore, the introduction of this standard will have minimal impact on farmers’ day to day operations.