Vol. 483 No. 1
143 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will rescind the decision made by his Department to decrease the retirement pension of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that the increase which is due to him through his non-contributory pension has been taken from him in his early retirement pension. [19897/97]
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2079/92 under which the scheme of early retirement from farming is being implemented specifies certain mandatory conditions which must be included in the scheme. One of these conditions provides that aid may be paid in the form of an annual supplement to the normal retirement pension paid by the State. Accordingly, the EU retirement pension paid to the transferor must be reduced by the amount he or she receives from a State pension.
147 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the farm retirement scheme will continue indefinitely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19937/97]
This scheme will be coming up for review with the EU Commission in 1999. I will be advocating the continuation of the scheme.
