How much has been paid out under the fuel support scheme?
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued an update on payments made under the Fuel Income Support Scheme.
The scheme was introduced by the government as a targeted income support to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.
The support followed a series of fuel protests and blockades across the country by farmers, contractors and hauliers who said soaring energy costs were making their businesses unviable.
The department has confirmed that €25.21 million had been paid out under the scheme by last Friday (August 21).
According to the latest payments data published by DAFM, an additional €532,100 was issued last week.
Fuel support scheme
The department said that a total of 30,604 farmers and contractors have now received payments under the scheme.
However, a spokesperson told Agriland: "A detailed [payment] breakdown between farmers and contractors is not available at this time".
"A preliminary analysis of applications shows an average payment to contractors is approximately €4,000, with farmers receiving approximately €600," they added.
The department said that incomplete payments can be attributed to "a number of issues".
"For certain cases the department is waiting on further information from applicants to allow them to be set up on payment systems or a request has been made for further evidence, for example fuel receipts.
"As information is supplied cases are being cleared and payments will continue to be made on a weekly basis.
"There are also a number of cases where the department has received information and is in the process of finalising payments," the spokesperson said.
Payments
When payments commenced under the Fuel Income Support Scheme last month, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said it was anticipated that the total scheme spend would be approximately €27 million.
However, the scheme had initially been allocated a budget of over €80 million.
Farm organisations have called on Minister Heydon to ensure that any leftover funds stay within the farming sector.
When asked by Agriland if this remaining allocation been returned to the national exchequer or if it be ringfenced for future use within DAFM, the department spokesperson said:
"Any decisions with regard to funding will be made as part of the overall discussions regarding Budget 2027".
