214. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the diesel rebate scheme operates for agricultural contractors and farmers; the current and projected rebate rates per litre; the basis on which the rebate is calculated, including whether it is linked to the price paid per litre by operators; the timeline for submitting and receiving payments; whether further clarity can be provided to fuel users who report difficulty obtaining accurate information from suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38666/26]

The Fuel Income Support Scheme has been introduced as a targeted income support to assist farmers, agricultural and forestry contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs. The payments will cover the months of March up to the end of July 2026, to be paid based on historic usage of MGO in 2025. The scheme will be operated by the Direct Payments Division of my Department.

Farmers and farm/forestry contractors will benefit from the scheme with a target payment rate of approximately 20c/L of MGO used for agricultural purposes based on a reference period in 2025. The exact rate paid to successful applicants will be based on total valid applications, subject to a maximum payment. The maximum payment is not yet determined but will be dependent on overall application levels and cannot exceed state aid limits. A minimum payment of €100 per applicant will apply.  Payment is not linked to the price an applicant paid for MGO.

The scheme is open to all from 6th May 2026 to 27th May 2026, details of how to apply can be found on my Department's website at  Fuel Income Support Scheme agriculturegovie-my.sharepoint.com/personal/oliver_molloy_agriculture_gov_ie/Documents/Fuel%20Income%20Support%20Scheme.  Payments under the scheme are planned to commence in June.

If the applicant is a farmer, they apply for the scheme in one of the following ways –

Applicant has made a 2025 or 2026 BISS application or is registered on MyAgFood.ie system. By using my Department’s MyAgFood system, the applicant, or their FAS approved advisor, can submit the claim and will be required to supply the total MGO usage in litres for agricultural purposes in 2025.

New entrants who may not have a 2025 application can apply once a BISS 2026 application is made and they can demonstrate that they are actively farming.

If the applicant does not submit a BISS application and is not registered on MyAgFood –They can download the Fuel Support Scheme Farmer Application form from my Department's website. The completed application forms can be submitted to fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.

A contractor can apply by downloading the Fuel Support Scheme Contractor Application form from my Departments website. Contactors will be asked to provide the following information:

Contractors business name, address, phone number and email address

2025 MGO usage

Vat number

Tax Clearance Certificate - (electronic Tax Clearance etc.)

Copy of receipt(s) or Customer Report from MGO supplier(s) for all or 2025

My Department has been assisting farmers and contractors with their queries on the scheme and will continue doing so over the coming weeks. I would urge those who wish to make an application to do so as soon as possible.