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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Paul McGrath

Question:

190 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of successful applicants per county for the farm retirement scheme per year since its introduction; the number of applications awaiting processing; and the plans, if any, he has to delete the additional land clause from the condition of entry to this scheme. [20496/98]

The number of successful applicants up to the end of September 1998 under the scheme of early retirement from farming are set out in the followng table. There are 385 applicants being processed at present.

In relation to the requirement to enlarge holdings, the position is that following a review of the operation of the scheme I wrote to Commissioner Fischler earlier this year seeking agreement to certain improvements to the scheme, including the replacement of the enlargement requirement with economic viability criteria. Commissioner Fischler responded positively to my request and a provision in this regard is contained in the new draft regulation on support for rural development currently being considered in the appropriate EU fora in the context of the Agenda 2000 negotiations.

Early Retirement Scheme Approvals

County

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

Carlow

15

34

17

33

14

Cavan

52

86

50

43

20

Clare

59

116

73

67

42

Cork

287

353

308

366

221

Donegal

26

34

23

15

6

Dublin

18

18

15

9

5

Galway

41

97

57

77

43

Kerry

104

148

134

141

70

Kildare

9

52

29

28

12

Kilkenny

45

107

73

83

31

Laois

33

62

51

59

19

Leitrim

7

27

17

3

2

Limerick

59

168

130

87

89

Longford

26

27

25

12

14

Louth

15

36

20

19

14

Mayo

30

56

33

20

22

Meath

44

76

47

60

23

Monaghan

28

49

30

20

19

Offaly

42

70

42

34

15

Roscommon

55

52

47

37

12

Sligo

32

33

22

19

6

Tipperary

133

229

179

203

95

Waterford

33

66

41

71

29

Westmeath

31

71

33

36

23

Wexford

87

184

150

137

51

Wicklow

23

40

31

28

15

Total

1,334

2,291

1,677

1,707

912

Paul McGrath

Question:

191 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there is a long waiting time for applications from County Westmeath for the farm retirement scheme; the number of these applications which have not been processed; the time elapsed since these applications were lodged; the steps, if any, he will take to have those applications processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20497/98]

Applications under the scheme of early retirement from farming are dealt with on a regional basis rather than a county basis. There are some 50 applications to be processed in the region in which Westmeath is situated. These are dealt with in order of receipt. There are three applications on hand from Westmeath two of which were received in May and the other in June. These are due to be processed in the next couple of weeks. I point out, however, that in no case does the processing time result in a financial loss to a retiring farmer. The operational procedures for the scheme specifically ensure that the date of receipt of a valid application in the Department determines the date from which payment is made.

Michael Finucane

Question:

192 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will provide extra staff to assist the existing official in his Department in Limerick to cope with the huge increase in farm retirement applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20541/98]

A review of staffing generally in this work area is under consideration at present and I hope to be in a position to deal with the backlog of work soon subject to agreement on necessary reorganisation.

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