Minister Heydon announces further details of the €100 Million Fuel Support Schemes for farmers, contractors and fishers
- Published on: 29 April 2026
- Last updated on: 29 April 2026
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, today announced further details of the €100 million Fuel Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers, who are facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.
Announcing the details, Minister Heydon said:
“The Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our farmers, contractors and fishers. Subject to the necessary sanction and state aid processes, it is planned to open the scheme for application before the middle of May for three to four weeks, with payment to issue thereafter. This targeted and practical support package based on actual fuel usage ensures that those most exposed to these increases will receive meaningful assistance. This approach is in line with discussions I have had with stakeholders and ensures that funding is directed where it is needed most, helping to sustain essential food production and rural economic activity. It will also for the first time provide a direct support to farm contractors, recognising the vital work they play in our farming systems. I am also conscious of liquidity and cashflow concerns in the sector at this time and am engaging with the main banks in this regard. Throughout this period, I have maintained close contact with the representative stakeholder organisations, and I will continue to engage and listen to their concerns”.
The fuel support scheme for farmers and farm contractors will cover the months of March up to the end of July and is an income support scheme aimed at those most impacted by the sudden increase in the cost of Market Gas Oil (MGO). Eligibility for the scheme will be based on use of MGO for primary production of agricultural products on farm (including forestry). Both farmers and farm and forestry contractors will be eligible to apply. Farmers and agricultural contractors will benefit from a support rate equivalent to approximately 20 cents per litre or €200 per 1,000 litres of marked gas oil based on verified fuel usage in 2025.
Under the scheme there will be one payment per applicant to cover a full five-month period rather than monthly payments. Applicants will be asked to supply their usage for the 12 months of 2025 based on receipted expenditure. The applicant will make a self-declaration of usage based on statements or receipts which may be subject to risk-based checks. For farm and forestry contractors, the scheme will require that they must be registered for VAT, tax compliant and must supply services for primary production of agricultural products (including forestry) on farm.
Subject to the necessary sanction and state aid processes, it is planned to open the scheme for application before the middle of May for 3-4 weeks, with payment to issue thereafter.
There will be a minimum and maximum level of payment – the minimum level of payment will be €100 in line with regular DAFM schemes, and the maximum rate will be dependent on the level of applications but will be in any event under the ceiling set by the forthcoming temporary State Aid framework.
A fuel support scheme for fishers and aquaculture tailored to the specific needs of that sector will be operated separately by Bord Iaciagh Mara (BIM) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. It will also be calculated on the basis of fuel consumption with specific eligibility criteria for the different categories of fishers. It is also anticipated that the scheme will open in May.
The €100 million Fuel Support Scheme is in addition to the full removal of all non-carbon excise on green diesel, worth approximately 7.5c per litre. These supports, totalling some 27.5c/l, exceed by almost 6c/l the entirety of excise (carbon and non-carbon) charged on green diesel prior to the conflict in the Middle East.
Ministers of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Noel Grealish TD, and Timmy Dooley TD, who were also involved in the intensive period of engagement with the stakeholders, also welcomed the Government approval.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Eligibility for the farm and farm and forestry contractors scheme will be determined by:
- Use of MGO (road diesel usage is not eligible).
- Use of MGO must be for primary production of agricultural products on farm (including forestry).
- Farmers and Farm or Forestry Contractors are eligible to apply.
Under the scheme there will be one payment per applicant to cover a full five-month period rather than monthly payments. Applicants will be asked to supply their usage for the 12 months of 2025 based on receipted expenditure. The applicant will make a self-declaration of usage based on statements or receipts which they hold and which may be subject to risk-based checks.
For farm and forestry contractors, the scheme will require that they must be registered for VAT, tax compliant and must supply services for primary production of agricultural products (including forestry) on farm.