A support package for farmers is on the cards ahead of the budget, as the Government work towards appeasing agricultural workers.
Measures included in this budget could include a support package of around €60 million, as the Government aim to stave off threats of more protests. It was reported in the Irish Independent that this announcement could be made in the coming days.
Ahead of the Budget announcement of October 6, the Government are finalising plans to extend to fuel income support scheme for farmers and agricultural workers by up to five months. The cost of living and price of fuel are the main issues ahead of this announcement next month.
The Coalition are also set to announce a further multi-million euro package for fodder and fertiliser. These are part of a range of measures that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have discussed with Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers and Agricultural Minister, Martin Heydon, designed to help with energy costs.
A meeting to discuss a fuel protest will take place in Moate, Co Westmeath on Sunday, with James Geoghegan, one of last April's protestors, hinting earlier this week that further protests could be on the cards.
Yesterday, Tánaiste and Finance Minister, Simon Harris told the Dáil that the biggest challenges facing this sector were "fuel, fodder and fertiliser", while also confirming that further measures would be announced in the coming weeks.
In the wake of the last fuel protests, a €100 million income support scheme was announced, which is separate from the road transporters support scheme (RTSS).
However, it has emerged that this has been under-subscribed, with just €27 million set to be paid out of it, which leaves the Irish Government with an option to extend the existing scheme by a few months, with €58 million available for an extension.
They could use part of this money for fodder and fertiliser supports in next month's budget.
Elsewhere, hauliers have also asked for increased supports, but no decision regarding the any extension to the RTSS has been announced at the time of writing.
It does remain unclear what the Government's plans are with regards to fodder, as it is too early to determine grass recovery levels following the summer drought, but funding remains set aside for further supports as part of this package.
Speaking in New York this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government has been working with legitimate representative bodies ahead of the budget announcement.
Mr Martin said that people have a right to protest, but that “we as a Government also have to protect the right of ordinary citizens to get to work, to get to hospital, to get their children to school” and that “ports are critical to our economy and to workers, because we export almost everything we produce”.
Mr Martin said that the Government “had to look at a comprehensive package that at least helps to ease the pressure on families” amid reports that they are planning to cut carbon tax on home heating oil and extend excise cuts on petrol and diesel until the spring.
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