The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, today (Wednesday, April 30) confirmed that the Fuel Support Scheme is set to open “as soon as next Tuesday,” May 5.

The Tánaiste told the Dáil today that the government "has not waited to act" to introduce measures to reduce petrol and green diesel costs.

Harris suggested that the government "has introduced what is either the largest or second largest package of supports in the EU."

The Tánaiste said the government has gone "beyond what was allowed under the energy tax directive to reduce [costs] further."

It comes a day after the government finally announced details of the €100 million Fuel Support Schemes for farmers, contractors and fishers.

The payments will cover the months of March up to the end of July, which “coincides with peak fuel usage on farms”.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), green diesel increased from around €0.97/L in late February to €1.80/L in early April this year.

Ireland’s “comprehensive” scheme delivers a rebate of approximately 20c/L of green diesel used, based on verified fuel consumption in 2025.

"Farmers and their representative bodies said the schemes would help and make a difference" Harris stated.

The Tánaiste also told the Dáil that the chief economist in the Department of Finance believes that the package introduced will "not just benefit farmers, fishers, hauliers and people at the pumps, but will also suppress inflation by around 0.6% per month."

He said the measures would be felt "in the supermarket or local shop as they go about dealing with the cost of living."

Eligibility

As reported by Agriland yesterday (Thursday, April 29), eligibility for the farm and farm and forestry contractors scheme will be determined by:

Use of green diesel (road diesel usage is not eligible);
Use of green diesel must be for primary production of agricultural products on farm (including forestry);
Farmers and farm or forestry contractors are eligible to apply.

Approximately 120,000 farmers and 1,500 full-time agricultural contractors are expected to be eligible to apply for the scheme.

DAFM has confirmed that it "will not distinguish between agri-contractors who are full time or part time – once the eligibility is met for the agri-contractor they may apply."

VAT registration compliance

DAFM also told Agriland that farmers will not have to be registered for VAT to access the scheme.

However, it said in the case of agricultural contractors, they will need to be registered for VAT and provide a tax clearance certificate (available through Revenue).