Agricultural and forestry contractors are eligible to apply to the Fuel Income Support Scheme, which opened on Wednesday 6 May.
The scheme will remain open until 27 May.
According to the Department of Agriculture, an agricultural or forestry contractor for the purpose of the scheme is defined as an individual/company that:
Provides agricultural or forestry services.Is registered for VAT and tax compliant.Operated as an agricultural/forestry contractor in 2025.Continues to operate as an agricultural/forestry contractor in 2026.Contractors cannot apply for the scheme if they are registered for VAT in Northern Ireland.
Where a contractor has used green diesel in 2025 for non-agricultural uses, they should ensure that these amounts are excluded from their claim.
Therefore, the estimate of litres of green diesel used in 2025 should only be for agricultural purposes. Checks will be carried out to validate claims, the Department has said.
Contractors do not need to be a member of a contractor association to qualify.
Any contractors who are not tax compliant must submit a tax clearance certificate to apply for the scheme. If a contractor does not have a tax clearance certificate, they are advised to contact Revenue.
Applicants will be required to provide the total litres of green diesel used in 2025 solely for agricultural purposes. This historical information will be used as the basis for the estimation of the litres used in the impacted period in 2026.
Example
The Department has outlined the following example of payments under the scheme.
I am contractor and used 12,550 litres of green in 2025, how much can I expect to receive?
Your expected payment for 12,550 litres green diesel is approximately €1,045.
This is based on an assumed usage of 5,230 litres in the period March to July 2026 and a rate of 20 cents per litre.
How to apply
Contractors can apply for the scheme by downloading the Fuel Income Support Scheme contractor application form and completing part two.
The application can be found on the Department's website.
Contractors must submit receipts or an account summary from their green diesel supplier(s) for the purchase of green diesel used in 2025 for farming activities.
They will also be required to register as a client of Department and provide their bank details to allow for payment processing.
Completed application forms, CCM client registration and bank account forms can be submitted to fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.
The scheme will remain open until Wednesday 27 May 2026, with payments to issue as soon as thereafter.
Applicants wishing to contact the Department regarding the Fuel Income Support Scheme can ring the direct payments helpline at 057-867 4422 or email fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.
Agricultural and forestry contractors are eligible to apply to the Fuel Income Support Scheme, which opened on Wednesday 6 May.
The scheme will remain open until 27 May.
According to the Department of Agriculture, an agricultural or forestry contractor for the purpose of the scheme is defined as an individual/company that:
Provides agricultural or forestry services.Is registered for VAT and tax compliant.Operated as an agricultural/forestry contractor in 2025.Continues to operate as an agricultural/forestry contractor in 2026.Contractors cannot apply for the scheme if they are registered for VAT in Northern Ireland.
Where a contractor has used green diesel in 2025 for non-agricultural uses, they should ensure that these amounts are excluded from their claim.
Therefore, the estimate of litres of green diesel used in 2025 should only be for agricultural purposes. Checks will be carried out to validate claims, the Department has said.
Contractors do not need to be a member of a contractor association to qualify.
Any contractors who are not tax compliant must submit a tax clearance certificate to apply for the scheme. If a contractor does not have a tax clearance certificate, they are advised to contact Revenue.
Applicants will be required to provide the total litres of green diesel used in 2025 solely for agricultural purposes. This historical information will be used as the basis for the estimation of the litres used in the impacted period in 2026.
Example
The Department has outlined the following example of payments under the scheme.
I am contractor and used 12,550 litres of green in 2025, how much can I expect to receive?
Your expected payment for 12,550 litres green diesel is approximately €1,045.
This is based on an assumed usage of 5,230 litres in the period March to July 2026 and a rate of 20 cents per litre.
How to apply
Contractors can apply for the scheme by downloading the Fuel Income Support Scheme contractor application form and completing part two.
The application can be found on the Department's website.
Contractors must submit receipts or an account summary from their green diesel supplier(s) for the purchase of green diesel used in 2025 for farming activities.
They will also be required to register as a client of Department and provide their bank details to allow for payment processing.
Completed application forms, CCM client registration and bank account forms can be submitted to fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.
The scheme will remain open until Wednesday 27 May 2026, with payments to issue as soon as thereafter.
Applicants wishing to contact the Department regarding the Fuel Income Support Scheme can ring the direct payments helpline at 057-867 4422 or email fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.
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