The closing date for the Fuel Income Support Scheme has been extended to midnight on Tuesday 2 June.

On the extension, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said he is conscious that workloads have increased with the current dry spell of weather and wants "to ensure that no one is left behind and that as many farmers and farm contractors as possible have the opportunity to apply".

"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," he added.

"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.”

Concluding, Minister Heydon said: "I have ensured that support is directed to those impacted by the price increase and who are actively engaged in producing our food and managing our forests, and I now urge anyone who wants to avail of this support to do so before Tuesday night next, 2 June".

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.