A Clare farming representative is warning newly announced fuel supports need to be paid to agri contractors as soon as possible to keep the economy moving.
It comes as the Government has unveiled details of its latest €505m support package this afternoon.
€100m of the package will go towards farmers, agricultural contractors and the fisheries under the Fuel Support Scheme.
Here successful applicants will receive one payment to cover the five month period of March to July, which will be equivalent to €200 off every 1,000 litres of green diesel, based on verified fuel usage.
Clare IFA Chair and Feakle Farmer Stephen Walsh says the payments need to be distributed immediately to keep the sector afloat.
The €120m Road Transporters Support Scheme, meanwhile, is targeted at hauliers and coach operators.
Here operators with up to five vehicles in their fleet will received a payment of €1,350 per vehicle, operators with between six and twenty trucks or buses will receive €790 per vehicle and the payment for larger fleets will be €300 per vehicle.
The scheme will initially only apply for March , with April and May payments depending on the price of Diesel being above €1.90 per litre.
Ennis-based Irish Road Haulage Association Deputy Vice President Eugene Drennan believes the supports are fair, but must be closely monitored amid ongoing global events.
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