Written answer
Fuel Prices
The Minister said farmer and contractor payments are nearing completion, with over €60 million underspent, and he is advocating priority supports in Budget 2027.
987. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the €60 million that was assigned for farmers and contractors for the diesel rebate scheme will be ring fenced for them and distributed to them over the next four months. [64970/26]
Comment on this
In recognition of the impact of increased fuel costs, the Government decided in April to allocate €100 million for fuel income support schemes for farmers, farm contractors, fishers and horticulture producers.
Payments under the Fuel Income Support Scheme for farmers and farm contractors commenced in July. Payments are nearing finalisation and are continuing to issue as the remaining cases are cleared.
An underspend of over €60 million on the overall €100 million allocated for agri-food and marine sector fuel supports is expected.
A number of priority areas have been identified and I am advocating for these priorities as part of my ongoing Budget 2027 discussions