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been left hanging. That is why I did not vote for what the Government proposed in this Chamber on 28 August. Farmers and agricultural contractors were not included on 28 August. The Government has €100 million left over after some scheme. Where is that

transporter support scheme, as well as supports for coach operators providing Local Link services. A €100 million fuel subsidy support scheme for farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers has also been opened. These measures were introduced on a temporary basis to provide some relief from fuel price inflation

next crisis. When that hits, pensioners, the sick and families will again worry about the cost of home heating oil. Farmers, fishers, agricultural contractors and bus companies will again face devastation as a result of increased diesel prices. Electricity and gas prices will go through the roof once

reductions in the price of diesel and petrol, extension of the fuel allowance season and measures to support hauliers, bus passengers, operators, farmers, agricultural contractors and fisheries. The Government will continue this focus on supporting businesses across Ireland, including pubs, as we develop options for budget

kerosene heating oil, natural gas and solid fuels. A new €100 million fuel subsidy support scheme is being introduced to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs, providing €20 million per month in supports. Our ultimate goal, through the promotion of renewable energy

namely with the SNAs, the agricultural contractors and farmers

Hauliers, farmers and agricultural contractors are among those who only a few years ago would have been called essential workers. Coach operators, too, are essential for day-to-day life, especially in rural Ireland where public transportation options are sorely lacking. They pick up some of the slack

important that non-agricultural contractors are recognised

they will receive direct fuel-linked supports because fuel makes up a huge proportion of their costs and they have felt disproportionate increases. Agricultural contractors are also receiving monthly targeted payments because they are exposed during seasonal periods. That is very important. Many businesses in retail and hospitality

services, at a cost of €40 million per month for three months; — a comprehensive €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers will be put in place; — this package of supports is in addition to the measures announced in March, which included

very well, we brought in a specific scheme - a fuel subsidy support scheme - under the Minister for agriculture's remit to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing unprecedented increases in fuel payments. The payments will cover the months of March up until the end of July, which

month to actually remove carbon tax from green diesel, the cost of which has gone through the roof for farmers. Talk to agricultural contractors and talk to ordinary farmers. Talk to the farmers who are telling me that this scheme, which we have not seen as the applications

transport sector, to cover unsustainable increases in fuel costs, and introduce a rebate scheme for green diesel that can be availed of by agricultural contractors and others who use that fuel. There is something in the air at present. You can feel it. It feels heavier

households across this State that use kerosene, yet there is nothing in the package for them. We all know the issues for agricultural contractors, farmers and hauliers. They would say that they have had issues for years, and this was the straw that broke the camel’s back

reduction of 2.4 cent in marked gas oil, green diesel. A comprehensive new €100 million fuel subsidy scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers across unprecedented increases in fuel has also been confirmed. The transport support scheme we have put in place amounts to €120 million

Fine Gael and the Independents are not on their side. Now people are demanding real measures. Yes, it has been the farmers, the agricultural contractors, the hauliers, the bus companies and others who have led the charge

Governments, and this Government, listen, be kind and be understanding. There are farmers who are really suffering so much at present. There are agricultural contractors who are really suffering. There are people who cried at the protests. These were workers. These were respectable people. They are the people

from the sector. I have those black hands all my life with grease and oil. I know what it is to be an agricultural contractor and the Government, its civil servants and the people in here turned around and thought they knew more. People are paying

Government is really showing support. It wants to work with our hauliers, our farmers, our agricultural contractors and our bus operators. It is important that people have certainty, particularly those involved in businesses and who are the hardest hit. I know that some are struggling. We all know

introduction of specific financial supports for key sectors of the economy, such as haulage, distribution, logistics, school transport, bus operators, farmers and agricultural contractors. In particular, I am happy that sole traders in these sectors can access the support funds. Our Independents, together with Fianna Fáil and Fine

been seen on a protest before and who did not want to be anywhere next or near a protest. We are talking about agricultural contractors, farmers and those involved in the bus and coach industry. As Joanna Byrne has said, some of them are here today. There

blitz for Carlow-Kilkenny and an expansion of Local Link, demand-responsive transport in rural areas with little or no bus service. Farmers, agricultural contractors and hauliers are paying higher diesel costs now so we need to ensure that the fuel subsidy support scheme that has been introduced

Government is squandering money. It needs to stop. The Government needs to stand up for the hardworking Irish people, the farmers, hauliers, agricultural contractors and small businesses. They should not have to come kicking and screaming for money. The Government needs to listen to them

putting in the services underground, whether they are mini-diggers or larger diggers. There is something, though not enough, for farmers and agricultural contractors but there is nothing at all for civil contractors. I am asking the Government not to ignore me and not to forget it because

scheme. I thank him for the alleviation of stress for many people. National and local government must engage with our landowners, farmers and agricultural contractors and ensure they can and will work hand in hand with our State agencies and public bodies as part of clean-up operations

Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a breakdown of the number of farmers and agri-contractors that applied for the fuel support scheme by county; and the rate of payment. [45134/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that has been paid out to date to farmers, fishermen, farm contractors and small businesses under the cost of fuel income support scheme. [40349/26

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

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to amend the eligibility criteria for the fuel support scheme to include those small contractors who are not VAT registered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44005/26

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered to address the indirect impact of rising fuel and fertiliser costs on farm operations, including contractor services and transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27539/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the impact of delays in processing grant applications on project costs arising from inflation, contractor availability and material price increases; whether any such analysis has been carried

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to urgently consider including a large-scale business and co-ops (details supplied), in the reliefs that support licensed agricultural/fishing contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32417/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the end date for submissions for the fuel support package beyond 22 May 2026, given that many farmers and contractors will not be able to meet this deadline, and given that accountants

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs incurred by his Department and bodies under its aegis from contracts awarded to communications and PR firms in 2024; the name of the contractor and a description of the work undertaken in each case

Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of any public contracts in his Department provided to companies or individuals who do not pay tax in Ireland, including the names of the contractor, value of the contract and purpose

Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the fishing and aquaculture registered vessel fuel support scheme will be extended for the same further five-month period as the fuel income support scheme for farmers and contractors announced in Budget 2027; the amount paid

Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine In the COFORD report of 2022 , Economic Activity and employment levels in the Irish Forest Sector; what did the report state average labour cost would need to increase by if contractors were not to be lost

Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the marketing grant of €16,000 awarded to an organisation (details supplied), the proportion of the grant that is allocated towards the engagement of a digital marketing consultant or contractor. [53518/26

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider imposing a rigid deadline of the 27 May 2026 for accessing the fuel income support scheme given the level of documentation required and the administrative burden being placed on farmers and contractors; and if he will make

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the cost of agri-diesel has increased by approximately 50% in recent weeks, representing the most significant percentage increase across fuel categories; the extent to which the Government has assessed … impact of these increases on farm viability and contractor operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26958/26

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) in 2020-2025 was used for the purposes of paying of staff on administrative leave, settling claims by staff in relation to workplace disputes, making payments … respect of non-disclosure agreements with staff, board members, volunteers or contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10010/25

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the extension of the fuel income support scheme that consideration would be given to amending the terms and conditions of the scheme, in particular where it sets out that no aid is payable in respect … applications where the total claim is less than €100, in view that many smaller farmers and contractors missed out on the initial payment owing to this clause and wish to benefit from the scheme going forward,. [69347/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department is fully compliant with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme Guidance, issued under section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, specifically the requirements under section … section E (details supplied); to publish quarterly the contracts awarded above €25,000 (exclusive of VAT), including contract type, contractor, value, award date, duration and description, in tabular form; to provide the web links where this information is published; when his Department first became compliant with each applicable