Tánaiste Simon Harris has announced that the Government will extend the fuel support scheme for farmers.

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, the Fine Gael leader and Minister for Finance said the Government had heard “very clearly” at last week’s Ploughing how important such a scheme was for farmers.

“I am pleased today to be able to tell the house that we are able to extend the fuel support scheme for farmers and I expect the details of that to be fully finalised in the coming days,” the Tánaiste said.

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The Tánaiste said there will also be fodder and fertiliser support for farmers in Budget 2027.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the full detail of these supports, including a likely top-up to the fertiliser support scheme, is still being negotiated.

On Sunday, Irish Farmers’ Association president Francie Gorman called on the Government to make an immediate supplementary payment under the fuel support scheme for green diesel.

“A fund of €85m was put in place in April to provide support to farmers and contractors to alleviate some of the cost burden caused by increases in the price of green diesel,” he said.

“The majority of this fund remains unspent and the Government must act now and release these funds directly to farmers and contractors that are facing record fuel prices.

“We cannot wait for the budget in October. The money is there. It must be paid out to farmers and contractors now.”

The full details of the scheme extension are yet to be revealed.