The Fuel Income Support Scheme was introduced as a targeted income support to assist farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.
Payments to farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors commenced on July 22nd and continue to issue as cases are cleared. As set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme payment is calculated based on the assumed usage in the 5 months from March to July 2026, multiplied by 20 cents. This is calculated using the full marked gas oil usage figure for 2025 supplied at application time.
In practical terms this means that a farmer/contractor who used 12,000 litres in 2025 is assumed to use 5,000 litres ( 12,000 divided by 12, multiplied 5) in the March to July period in 2026 and will be paid €1,000 (5,000 litres multiplied by 20 cents ) under this scheme.
A minimum payment of €100 is standard across schemes operated by my Department, and this has been the case for many years. This minimum payment amount is reflective of the cost of processing and issuing small sums through payment systems.
I am acutely conscious of the pressures arising for the agriculture sector as a result of prolonged high fuel prices and input costs, and will be engaging further with Minister Chambers on options in this regard as part of Budget 2027 negotiations.
