Kieran Coughlan: Contractor eligibility is unclear under new fuel subsidy scheme

The Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme will provide €20 million per month in supports, with funding directly linked to fuel usage last year to ensure those most impacted by the fuel price increase receive the greatest assistance, writes rural tax advisor Kieran Coughlan

The average dairy farmer uses about 6,000 litres of diesel per year and typically about half of that is used in the period March to July, writes rural tax advisor Kieran Coughlan.

The Government announced the Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme in recent weeks to assist farmers and agricultural contractors in meeting the increased cost of agricultural diesel.

The Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme is subject to State Aid approval and also requires the implementation of an IT system in order to facilitate applications and payments.