Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Feb 1999

Vol. 501 No. 1

Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Phil Hogan

Question:

54 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if participants in the early farm retirement scheme will be compensated in view of the recent reduction in their pension arising from the introduction of the euro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3912/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

The Council of Agriculture Ministers has agreed that compensation will be paid over the next three years to participants in the schemes affected by reductions arising from the introduction of the euro.

Full compensation, with 100 per cent funding by the EU will be payable in 1999, for the reduction in 1999 pensions under the scheme of early retirement from farming to participants who joined the scheme prior to 1998. My Department is in consultation with the EU Commission for clarification on the issue of compensation for participants who joined during 1998. Two further annual tranches of compensation will be paid, each reducedvis-à-vis the level of the previous tranche by at least a third of the amount paid out in the first tranche. These two further tranches will be funded equally by the EU and member states with the member states contribution being optional. Approval of the EU Commission is necessary before compensation will be paid.