2569. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments to successful applicants under the fuel income support scheme will be processed; the date by which these payments will begin to be received by successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56671/26]

My Department has introduced the Fuel Income Support Scheme as a targeted income support to assist farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.

Payments to farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors commenced on July 22nd and oayments will continue to issue as cases are cleared in the coming days and weeks. Payment is calculated based on the assumed usage in the 5 months from March to July 2026, multiplied by 20 cents. This is calculated using the full marked gas oil usage figure for 2025 supplied at application time.

In practical terms this means that a farmer/contractor who used 12,000 litres in 2025 is assumed to use 5,000 litres ( 12,000 divided by 12, multiplied 5) in the March to July period in 2026 and will be paid €1,000 (5,000 litres multiplied by 20 cents ) under this scheme.