Vol. 456 No. 7
124 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of farmers that have availed of the farm retirement pension scheme; the benefits identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14424/95]
To date over 3,450 applicants have been approved for pension under the scheme.
Expenditure in 1994 was £5.47 million and to date in 1995 is £19.03 million. Total expenditure will be about £100 million up to 1997 with additional funding available after that date. Currently the average pension is £9,128 per annum.
The farm retirement scheme is designed to contribute significantly to the general structural improvement of farms and at the same time help to maintain the rural population. It will help redress the two main structural defects in Irish farming viz. farm size and the age profile of farmers. So far over 3,500 young farmers have received land as a result of the scheme and many of these may also benefit from the scheme of installation aid for young farmers. Of the farms released to date under the retirement scheme the average farm size was 31ha. The average farm size created after participation in the scheme is 49.4ha. This in itself is a significant agricultural reform.
