Area-based Schemes

The Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs offers several payments to farm businesses based on the land that they farm, or actions they take on their land. These payments are called ‘Area-based Schemes’ (ABS). ABS represent the largest payments made to farm businesses in Northern Ireland each year and play a key role in contributing to the Northern Ireland rural economy. ABS payments are made annually and must be claimed for by submitting a ‘Single Application’. Some ABS require an additional application to be submitted before they can be claimed for via the Single Application. You can find out more information on submitting a Single Application, and other applications, by clicking on the ‘How to Apply’ box below.

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Important Info

The Single Application 2024 has now closed and you can no longer submit applications or make amendments.

DAERA Messaging

Area-based Schemes are introducing a new digital messaging service for communications.

The new DAERA Messaging Service is secure, convenient and environmentally friendly.

It is essential for at least one member of your Farm Business to be a registered online user with DAERA to enable you to receive important communications regarding your Scheme Applications and Payments.

We will use the email address you have registered with DAERA to notify you when you have received a new message.

The message can be accessed through logging into your Government Gateway account or NI Direct Account (NIDA) when clicking on the link provided in the notification e-mail. It is important to make sure we hold the most up-to-date email information for you.