Hauliers given more time to apply for fuel cost support
Hauliers are to be given more time to apply for an emergency support scheme put in place by the Government to assist them with the soaring cost of fuel.
Those who have not yet applied for the assistance will now have until 6 June to lodge their completed applications.
Under the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme, a payment of €100 per week is available for eight weeks for every heavy goods vehicle over 3.5 tonnes that was listed on a road haulage operator’s licence on 11 March.
So far, over €13m has been provided to over 2,800 operators.
“We know, however, that a significant number have not yet applied for the scheme,” said Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan.
“We have extended the application period so that we can make every effort to contact these operators to allow them more time to apply.”
Minister of State with special responsibility for haulage and logistics Hildegarde Naughton estimated that there are around 900 licensed haulage operators who have not yet applied for the scheme.
“My officials in the Department of Transport will now write to each operator at their registered address in order to afford them a final opportunity to make an application – the closing date for receipt of completed applications is therefore extended to the 6th of June 2022,” she said.
The measure was one of a number announced by the Government in recent months to ease the burden of rising fuel prices in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A Diesel Rebate Scheme is also available to licensed haulage while excise duty was reduced by 20 cent on petrol and 15 cent on diesel for all citizens and businesses.
This has recently been extended out to Budget day.
Article Source – Hauliers given more time to apply for fuel cost support – Will Goodbody – RTE
