From 1 October, the maximum repayment under Ireland’s Diesel Rebate Scheme falls from 12 cents to 7.5 cents per litre, as the enhanced rate introduced for 2026 expires. Revenue has confirmed the reduction.
A second increase follows on 1 November, when the Government begins unwinding temporary fuel-tax cuts introduced earlier this year. Around seven cents per litre is due to return to diesel taxation, with a further rise expected in December. For every 1,000 litres purchased, the November increase alone would add €70 to fuel costs.
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) says there is little prospect of prices easing before then.
“Fuel prices will get worse before they get better,” said IRHA president Ger Hyland, citing continued volatility in international fuel markets.
The temporary reductions now being unwound were introduced in April, when the Government cut combined diesel taxation, including VAT, by 32 cents per litre. Their restoration was subsequently delayed as international energy prices remained elevated, but the current timetable has the cuts beginning to unwind from November.
Ireland’s approach contrasts with moves elsewhere in Europe to extend fuel support. Germany has announced a temporary fuel-tax reduction worth around 17 cents per litre, running from 1 October until the end of 2026, while France has extended targeted fuel assistance for particularly exposed sectors through the end of the year.
At EU level, a temporary state-aid framework introduced in response to the Middle East energy crisis allows governments to compensate road transport companies for up to 70% of eligible additional fuel costs. The framework remains available until the end of 2026.
The European Commission said this month that oil supplies in the EU remained stable, while warning that geopolitical uncertainty continued to drive significant price volatility, particularly for diesel and jet fuel.
The IRHA is also pressing the Government to support wider use of domestically or EU-produced biofuels such as HVO, arguing that this could reduce hauliers’ exposure to volatile imported fossil-fuel markets.
