Over 4000 farmers and contractors in Cork benefit from Fuel Income Support Scheme – O’Shea

Over 4000 farmers and contractors in Cork are set to get €3,000,000 in support, Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has said.

Deputy O’Shea said, “This will go a long way for farmers and contractors across Cork who were hit hard by rising fuel costs in the spring. It’s a practical, targeted support that will make a real difference to households and farm budgets.”

The scheme was designed to support applicants for the five-month period March to July 2026.

Payment is based on the equivalent of five months usage of the total litres of marked gas oil (MGO) used by an applicant in 2025 multiplied by 20c. 

The average payment for a contractor nationally is approximately €4,000 in this batch of payments, with farmers receiving over €600 on average. It is expected that the total final payments under this scheme will be approximately €27 million.

Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon said:

“The Fuel Income Support Scheme was introduced as a targeted income support for farmers and agricultural contractors who had experienced unprecedented increases in fuel costs this spring.

“I am delighted that €20.7 million in payments have now commenced issuing to 29,464 farmers and contractors and in the coming days they will see money arriving in their bank accounts. This is the first batch of farmers and contractors cleared for payment and further payments will issue on an ongoing basis once cases are cleared. This scheme and the issuing of payments in a timely manner shows that Government can and will support the agricultural industry through difficult times.”

Deputy O’Shea concluded by saying, “I’d encourage any farmer or contractor in Cork who hasn’t yet responded to requests from the Department for information to do so as soon as possible so their claim can be processed.”

Farmers and contractors wishing to contact the department regarding their Fuel Income Support payment, can ring the Direct Payments Helpline at 057-8674422 or by email to fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie

ENDS//

Notes to Editor:

The Fuel Income Support Scheme was introduced as a targeted income support to assist farmers and agricultural contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.

The payments cover the months of March up to the end of July 2026, which coincides with peak fuel usage on farms.

Activities under the scheme must be agriculture and/or forestry related.

A separate support scheme for vessels in the fishery and aquaculture sectors and for specialist horticulture have also been opened.

The minimum payment under this scheme is €100 and it is anticipated that approximately 3,500 applicants will not reach this payment threshold.

Applicants who submitted MGO usage of less than 1,200 litres in 2025 will therefore not receive payment. For example, a total usage of 1,000 litres in 2025 would indicate a usage of 416.67 litres in the five months of March to July (1,000 divided by 12 and multiplied by 5 equals 416.67 litres). This is then multiplied by the rate of 20c to give a total payment of €83.33.  As this is below €100 no payment will issue.

The maximum payment is €50,000.

The average payment for a contractor is approximately €4,000 in this batch of payments, with farmers receiving over €600.

It is expected that the total final payments under this scheme will be approximately €27 million.

Applicants should note that it can take up to five days for the money to transfer and clear in your nominated account.

The number and amount of payments to farmers and contractors by county is set out below:

Farmers and contractors wishing to contact the department regarding their Fuel Income Support payment, can ring the Direct Payments Helpline at 057-8674422 or by email to fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie