Almost €2 Million in Fuel Support Payments for Farmers Across Wexford and Wicklow

More than €1.96 million in fuel support payments is being issued to 2,130 farmers and agricultural contractors across Counties Wexford and Wicklow under the Government's Fuel Income Support Scheme.

The payments, which have now begun to issue, are designed to help offset the sharp rise in fuel costs experienced by the agricultural sector during the spring of 2026.

The scheme covers the five-month period from March to July this year and provides support at a rate of 20 cent per litre of marked gas oil. Payments are calculated using the equivalent of five months' fuel usage based on each applicant's marked gas oil consumption in 2025.

Nationally, the Government is issuing €20.7 million in the first round of payments, with money expected to reach farmers' and contractors' bank accounts over the coming days. Overall payments under the scheme are expected to total approximately €27 million.

The average payment to agricultural contractors is around €4,000, while farmers are expected to receive an average payment of more than €600.

Welcoming the commencement of payments, Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne said the scheme would provide timely financial support to farmers and contractors who have faced increased operating costs following recent rises in fuel prices.

Deputy Byrne said instability in the Middle East had contributed to higher fuel costs, placing additional financial pressure on the agricultural sector because of its dependence on fuel for daily operations.

He said the payments would help ease those pressures, provide greater certainty for farmers and agricultural contractors, and help reduce the risk of higher production costs being passed on to consumers through increased food prices.