Vol. 497 No. 4
91 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he has taken at European Commission level to ensure that the farm retirement scheme is continued after 31 December 1998 in order to remove uncertainty in this area for potential applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25248/98]
When the scheme was approved originally by the EU Commission it was on the basis of a projection of expenditure over the period of operation of the scheme. As a result of the success of the scheme the projected expenditure has been exceeded. My Department is in contact with the European Commission with a view to securing the funding to cover 1999 applications. I am confident that this funding will be provided.
