Fuel supports for farmers, agricultural contractors, specialist horticulture producers and the fishing sector have been extended for a further five months.
The Government has allocated €31.2 million to continue the support from August to December 2026, following the original scheme covering March to July.
Louth TD Paula Butterly has welcomed the extension, saying it will provide further certainty for farmers and rural businesses facing high operating costs.
“As someone who comes from a farming background, I know first-hand the pressure that rising input costs place on farm families, agricultural contractors and rural businesses,” she said.
“This extension of fuel supports is a practical measure that will help ease some of those financial burdens at a time when costs remain elevated.”
Extension runs to December
The Fuel Income Support Scheme was introduced earlier this year to support farmers and agricultural and forestry contractors affected by higher Marked Gas Oil costs.
The original support period ran from March until the end of July. It will now continue for the five months from August to December.
Separate supports have also been put in place for fishers and specialist horticulture growers.
Butterly said farmers and contractors who were already approved under the scheme would benefit from a simpler process for the extension.
“It is particularly positive that this additional payment will be made through a streamlined process,” she said.
“Farmers already approved under the scheme will not face further paperwork or administrative hurdles, with payments issuing based on existing applications, subject to scheme limits.”
Lower fuel users could now qualify
The extended period will also give some lower fuel users another opportunity to reach the minimum payment threshold.
The scheme has a minimum payment threshold of €100. Usage from earlier in the year that fell below that threshold can be combined with eligible usage between August and December for the purposes of calculating support.
Butterly said this would widen the number of farmers who could receive support under the scheme.
The Department of Agriculture has said more than 31,000 farmers and contractors had received payments by 8th October, totalling €26.52 million.
Support for horticulture and fishing
Butterly also welcomed the continuation of support for the horticulture and fishing sectors.
“Agriculture, horticulture and fishing are vital contributors to our local economy in County Louth and across the country,” she said.
“These sectors have faced considerable challenges over recent years, and it is important that Government continues to respond where support is needed.”
She also welcomed continued engagement between the Department of Agriculture and representative bodies across the farming, horticulture and fisheries sectors.
“Maintaining that dialogue is essential to ensuring that the concerns of producers are heard and acted upon,” she said.
