Minister Heydon reminds farmers and farm contractors to apply for Fuel Income Support Scheme by Wednesday
- Foilsithe: 22 Bealtaine 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 22 Bealtaine 2026
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has today reminded farmers and farm contractors that the closing date for the Fuel Income Support Scheme is next Wednesday, 27 May.
Minister Heydon said:
“I’m delighted with the interest shown by farmers and contractors to date in the Fuel Support Scheme. Based on applications received so far the average contractor will likely see a payment of more than €6,000 with larger contractors potentially receiving multiples of that. Again, on figures in so far for farmers the average payment is in the region of about €650.”
This scheme was introduced as a result of the exceptional pressure that exists on farmers and contractors due to the dramatic increase in the price of Marked Gas Oil (MGO) in recent months.
The Minister continued:
“The application process is very straightforward so I would urge farmers and contractors who have not yet applied to do so in the coming days. The average contractor is using around 70,000 litres of diesel a year and this payment will assist their businesses at a time of high fuel usage and associated cost.”
Minister Heydon said:
“This support was designed in consultation with representatives of the various stakeholders to ensure a timely injection of support to the agricultural and forestry sectors who are key to the rural economy. Eligibility for the scheme is based on use of MGO for primary production of agricultural products on farm (including forestry) last year. Both farmers and farm and forestry contractors are eligible to apply.”
Farmers can apply online via My AgFood, and contractors can download the necessary forms from the Department’s website and submit completed forms and receipts to fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie or to the postal address provided on the forms.
Under the scheme there will be one payment per applicant to cover a full five-month period.
For agricultural 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 and must provide receipts with their application.
Concluding, Minister Heydon said:
“It is a critically important time of the year for farmers and contractors, and I want to ensure that support is directed to those impacted by the price increase and who are actively engaged in producing our food and managing our forests.”
Applicants wishing to contact the Department regarding the Fuel Income Support Scheme, can ring the Direct Payments Helpline at 057-8674422 or email fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.
Notes
Eligibility of farmers and agricultural and forestry contractors will be determined by:
- Be actively farming in 2025, or commenced actively farming in 2026
- Continue to actively farm in 2026
- In the case of contractors, be VAT registered and tax compliant and be carrying out agricultural contracting in primary production (including forestry) on farms.
Farmers can apply online via My AgFood with agricultural/forestry contractors applying via the paper application form available on the Department’s website. The website also contains a help video to show farmers how to apply themselves.
The total payment each applicant will receive will be calculated once all claims have been submitted. However, it is anticipated that approximately 20 cents per litre of the estimated usage over a 5-month period will be the basis of the payment.
Both the assumed usage ratio and the cents per litre amount will be set to ensure that the total scheme budget is respected. These will be calculated once all applications have been received.
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. Farmer applicants will make a self-declaration of usage based on statements or receipts which they hold and which may be subject to risk-based checks, while contractors will have to supply receipts or statements with the application form.
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.