Over 30,000 Applications for Farmer Fuel Support Scheme; Deadline Extended
Over 30,000 applications have been made to the Government's fuel support scheme for farmers and contractors since its launch four weeks ago. The deadline has been extended due to high demand, with average payments expected to be €650 for farmers and €6,000 for contractors. Payments are due by the end of June.
More than 30,000 applications have been submitted to the Government's fuel support scheme for farmers and agricultural contractors over the past month. The scheme, which launched four weeks ago, has seen its application deadline extended to next week due to the high volume of submissions received.
This support initiative was introduced following the fuel protests in April, which notably included the blockade of Ireland's oil refinery at Whitegate in County Cork. Payments to eligible applicants will be calculated once all claims have been processed. It is anticipated that the average payment for farmers will be approximately €650, while agricultural contractors are expected to receive an average of about €6,000. Larger contractors, however, may be entitled to significantly higher amounts. All payments are scheduled to be disbursed by the end of June.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon commented on the strong uptake: «We have seen a strong response to the Fuel Income Support Scheme among farmers and contractors to date, including a large number of applications received over the weekend and the past two days.» He further explained the deadline extension: «As I am conscious that farmers will be extremely busy during the current spell of weather, I am extending the deadline for the fuel support scheme. I want to ensure that no one is left behind.»
Separately, the Department of Transport launched a similar scheme for hauliers last week, which has so far received approximately 1,500 applications. This scheme will remain open until June 12.