asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount of land acquired by the Land Commission under the farm retirement scheme, the amount of land divided to date and if he considers the scheme to be a success.
Written Answers. - Farmers' Retirement Scheme.
308.
The area purchased by the Land Commission under the Farmers' Retirement Scheme amounts to 7,338 hectares, of which 2,536 hectares have so far been allotted. In addition, 1,027 hectares were released under the scheme on a direct farmer to farmer basis either by way of outright sale or lease.
The scheme has not been as successful as was hoped. However, proposals by the European Commission for the revision of the governing directive are being considered by the Council of Ministers and when decisions have been taken by the Council improvements will be made in the scheme.