Clare Farmer Criticises Government For Failing To Simplify Fuel Supports As €64 Million Left Unclaimed

A Clare farming representative is criticising the Government for failing to simplify the rules surrounding fuel supports, as €64 million has been left unclaimed. Smaller farmers have found difficulty obtaining the Fuel Income Support Scheme due to confusion around eligibility and minimum limits. The price of diesel rose by 19 cent a litre at the pump in the last month, with petrol rising by nine cent in the same period and further increases set to be seen from September 1st onwards. Secretary of the Clare branch of the ICMSA and O'Callaghan's Mills farmer, Martin McMahon, says Government made the support scheme unnecessarily difficult.