The €100m Fuel Income Support Scheme for farmers and contractors has opened for applications this Wednesday, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced.

“The fuel income support scheme for farmers and farm contractors will cover the months of March up to the end of July, which are a critical time in the agriculture calendar,” the Minister said.

“It is a straightforward scheme aimed at those most impacted by the sudden increase in the cost of marked gas oil (MGO).”

Eligibility for the scheme will be based on use of MGO, more commonly known as green diesel, for primary production of agricultural products on farm (including forestry) last year. Both farmers and farm and forestry contractors will be eligible to apply.

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.

    • Applicants of the scheme will make a self-declaration of usage based on statements or receipts which will be subject to risk-based checks.

    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.

    Payments

    Under the scheme there will be one payment per applicant to cover a full five-month period rather than monthly payments.

    The total payment each applicant will receive will be calculated once all claims have been submitted, the Department advised.

    However, it is anticipated that approximately 20c/l of the estimated usage over a five-month period will be the basis of the payment.

    Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

    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.

    Applicants will be asked to supply their usage for the 12 months of 2025 based on receipted expenditure.

    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.

    “This support package is the culmination of intensive work with representative stakeholder groups in recent weeks and ensures that funding is directed where it is needed most, helping to sustain essential food production and rural economic activity,” the Minister said.

    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 057-8674422 or email fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.