Farmers and contractors in Mayo benefit from Fuel Income Support Scheme

A total of 1,272 farmers and contractors in Mayo are set to get €600,322.96 from the Fuel Income Support Scheme. Minister of State, Alan Dillon said. “This will go a long way for farmers and contractors across Mayo 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 Dillon 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.”

Nationally €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.

Minister Dillon concluded by saying: “I’d encourage any farmer or contractor in Mayo 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 email fuelsub@agriculture.gov.ie.