Vol. 512 No. 7
102 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has received the necessary approval from the European Commission to pay compensation to recipients on the early farming retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27213/99]
Pensions paid under the scheme of early retirement from farming, along with certain other payments, were reduced by approximately 5.055% when the euro was introduced.
Formal approval to pay compensation for this reduction to participants in the scheme was received from the European Commission on 8 December and my Department is now making arrangements for the payment to be made at the earliest opportunity.
