ffuMore than €45 million has now been paid to Irish transport operators under the €120 million Road Transporters Support Scheme, but a significant number of applications remain under review.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien provided the update at the Irish Road Haulage Association’s annual conference in Killarney.
The latest figures show:
More than 4,400 applications were submitted.
Approximately 2,700 applicants have received payments.
Over €45 million has been paid since payments began on 10 July.
A further €7 million is being processed.
Another €6.9 million has been transferred to the Department of Education and Youth for payments to school-transport providers.
Processing delays
More than 20 per cent of applications contained errors or information that required clarification. Around 1,100 applicants were contacted during August and asked to supply corrected or additional details.
The deadline for applicants who received such a request was 12 noon on Monday, 7 September 2026. The Department warned that applications could be rejected where the requested information was not returned by that deadline.
Two dedicated online portals were provided—one for applicants asked to correct bank details and another for those required to supply other information. The Department is now checking these submissions against its records.
Payments available
The scheme provides graduated support, with smaller operators receiving the highest payment per vehicle:
Fleet size Payment
Up to five eligible vehicles €1,350 per vehicle
Six to 20 eligible vehicles €790 per vehicle
More than 20 eligible vehicles €300 per vehicle
The RTSS covers eligible licensed haulage, own-account transport and passenger operators. It was introduced in response to the sharp increase in diesel prices during 2026.
Appeals process promised
Minister O’Brien acknowledged operators’ frustration with the processing delays and confirmed that an appeals mechanism would be introduced for applicants dissatisfied with their assessment. Full details and opening dates for that process had not been published in the latest available update.
Operators awaiting payment should therefore continue to monitor correspondence from the Department of Transport and retain copies of their application, vehicle records, bank details and any additional information submitted.
The Minister also confirmed that the enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme and reduced fuel-excise rates will remain in place until the end of 2026. However, he conceded that the RTSS alone will not resolve the cost pressures facing the haulage industry.
The key issue now is getting the remaining valid applications processed quickly and establishing a transparent appeals procedure for operators whose payments have been reduced or refused.d
More than €45 million has now been paid to Irish transport operators under the €120 million Road Transporters Support Scheme, but a significant number of applications remain under review.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien provided the update at the Irish Road Haulage Association’s annual conference in Killarney.
The latest figures show:
More than 4,400 applications were submitted.
Approximately 2,700 applicants have received payments.
Over €45 million has been paid since payments began on 10 July.
A further €7 million is being processed.
Another €6.9 million has been transferred to the Department of Education and Youth for payments to school-transport providers.
Processing delays
More than 20 per cent of applications contained errors or information that required clarification. Around 1,100 applicants were contacted during August and asked to supply corrected or additional details.
The deadline for applicants who received such a request was 12 noon on Monday, 7 September 2026. The Department warned that applications could be rejected where the requested information was not returned by that deadline.
Two dedicated online portals were provided—one for applicants asked to correct bank details and another for those required to supply other information. The Department is now checking these submissions against its records.
Payments available
The scheme provides graduated support, with smaller operators receiving the highest payment per vehicle:
Fleet size Payment
Up to five eligible vehicles €1,350 per vehicle
Six to 20 eligible vehicles €790 per vehicle
More than 20 eligible vehicles €300 per vehicle
The RTSS covers eligible licensed haulage, own-account transport and passenger operators. It was introduced in response to the sharp increase in diesel prices during 2026.
Appeals process promised
Minister O’Brien acknowledged operators’ frustration with the processing delays and confirmed that an appeals mechanism would be introduced for applicants dissatisfied with their assessment. Full details and opening dates for that process had not been published in the latest available update.
Operators awaiting payment should therefore continue to monitor correspondence from the Department of Transport and retain copies of their application, vehicle records, bank details and any additional information submitted.
The Minister also confirmed that the enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme and reduced fuel-excise rates will remain in place until the end of 2026. However, he conceded that the RTSS alone will not resolve the cost pressures facing the haulage industry.
The key issue now is getting the remaining valid applications processed quickly and establishing a transparent appeals procedure for operators whose payments have been reduced or refused.
