Vol. 307 No. 14
andMr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture when the pension under the farm retirement scheme was last raised; the amount by which the Social Welfare non-contributory old age pension has been raised since then; and if a commitment was given at the introduction of the farm retirement scheme that the pension would keep pace with other pensions.
43.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the farmers participating in the farm retirement scheme have received an increase in annuities since its inception; and, if not, why.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together. Participants in the farmers' retirement scheme received two increases in their annuity payments since the inception of the scheme. The last increase was on 1 May 1977. Since that date the non-contributory old age pension rates have been increased by amounts ranging from £0.50 to £2.75 per week.
No commitment was given at the introduction of the scheme that the annuity would keep pace with other pensions but there is provision that it may be increased from time to time to take account of any increase in the Consumer Price Index. I am, in fact, at present reviewing the rate of annuity payable.
