A €100m Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs has been announced by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.
The payments will cover the months of March up to the end of July, which also coincides with peak fuel usage season for field work on farms.
The package comes in response to the sharp rise green diesel, which has surged since February due to ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
The price of green diesel at the pumps will also reduce by 2.4c/l on Tuesday night, pending Oireachtas approval.
The scheme will provide €20m per month in supports, with funding directly linked to fuel usage last year to ensure those most affected by the fuel price increase receive the greatest assistance.
Farmers and agricultural contractors will benefit from a support rate equivalent to approximately 20c/l of green diesel used based on verified fuel consumption in 2025.
“The funding will be distributed proportionally - a point that was strongly emphasised in ongoing engagements with the representative farm and farm contractor groups,” the Department of Agriculture said.
Eligibility
Approximately 120,000 farmers and 1,500 full-time agricultural contractors will be eligible to apply for support, the Department said.
“Payments will be made through a single application process, with funding allocated based on fuel usage last year.
Farmers, hauliers and contractors protested across the country over the past week over the rise in fuel prices. \ Philip Doyle
“Eligibility will require applicants to demonstrate active farming or contracting status, tax compliance and verifiable fuel usage.
"A system of checks and inspections will be implemented to ensure accountability. EU state aid cover will also be necessary,” it added.
Other sectors
Up to €5m per month will be allocated to support fishers and other sectors affected, such as forestry and specialist horticulture. A tailored scheme for fishers will be developed, subject to EU state aid requirements.
“This Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our farmers, contractors and fishers.
"This targeted and practical support package ensures that those most exposed to these increases will receive meaningful assistance at the most critical time of year,” Minister Heydon said.
“We have worked intensively with representative stakeholder groups in recent times and I believe that this represents a fair and effective scheme based on actual fuel usage, taking account also of the vital work played by farm contractors in our farming systems.
"This approach ensures that funding is directed where it is needed most, helping to sustain essential food production and rural economic activity,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture has said it has “commenced intensive preparations to implement the scheme as quickly as possible”.
“Given the scale and complexity, timelines will be carefully managed to ensure efficient delivery. Stakeholders will be kept informed as the scheme is finalised and rolled out,” it said.
A €100m Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs has been announced by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.
The payments will cover the months of March up to the end of July, which also coincides with peak fuel usage season for field work on farms.
The package comes in response to the sharp rise green diesel, which has surged since February due to ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
The price of green diesel at the pumps will also reduce by 2.4c/l on Tuesday night, pending Oireachtas approval.
The scheme will provide €20m per month in supports, with funding directly linked to fuel usage last year to ensure those most affected by the fuel price increase receive the greatest assistance.
Farmers and agricultural contractors will benefit from a support rate equivalent to approximately 20c/l of green diesel used based on verified fuel consumption in 2025.
“The funding will be distributed proportionally - a point that was strongly emphasised in ongoing engagements with the representative farm and farm contractor groups,” the Department of Agriculture said.
Eligibility
Approximately 120,000 farmers and 1,500 full-time agricultural contractors will be eligible to apply for support, the Department said.
“Payments will be made through a single application process, with funding allocated based on fuel usage last year.
Farmers, hauliers and contractors protested across the country over the past week over the rise in fuel prices. \ Philip Doyle
“Eligibility will require applicants to demonstrate active farming or contracting status, tax compliance and verifiable fuel usage.
"A system of checks and inspections will be implemented to ensure accountability. EU state aid cover will also be necessary,” it added.
Other sectors
Up to €5m per month will be allocated to support fishers and other sectors affected, such as forestry and specialist horticulture. A tailored scheme for fishers will be developed, subject to EU state aid requirements.
“This Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our farmers, contractors and fishers.
"This targeted and practical support package ensures that those most exposed to these increases will receive meaningful assistance at the most critical time of year,” Minister Heydon said.
“We have worked intensively with representative stakeholder groups in recent times and I believe that this represents a fair and effective scheme based on actual fuel usage, taking account also of the vital work played by farm contractors in our farming systems.
"This approach ensures that funding is directed where it is needed most, helping to sustain essential food production and rural economic activity,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture has said it has “commenced intensive preparations to implement the scheme as quickly as possible”.
“Given the scale and complexity, timelines will be carefully managed to ensure efficient delivery. Stakeholders will be kept informed as the scheme is finalised and rolled out,” it said.
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