Vol. 501 No. 6
175 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications for the early retirement scheme for farming which are not processed; the average waiting time for dealing with these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6778/99]
All applications are processed in each of the Department's local offices in strict order of receipt. In general, the longer processing time in some counties is attributable to the higher volume of applications under the various EU schemes. However, in no case does the processing time result in financial loss to a retiring farmer. The operational procedures for the scheme specifically ensure that the date of receipt in the Department of a valid application determines the date from which payment is made.
|
County |
Not yet processedProcessing time |
Being processed |
|
Carlow |
2 |
8 weeks |
|
Cavan |
6 |
10 weeks |
|
Clare |
8 |
6 weeks |
|
Cork |
19 |
1 weeks |
|
Donegal |
0 |
– |
|
Dublin |
3 |
18 weeks |
|
Galway |
26 |
12 weeks |
|
Kerry |
21 |
2 weeks |
|
Kildare |
11 |
16 weeks |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
8 weeks |
|
Laois |
9 |
24 weeks |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
– |
|
Limerick |
12 |
12 weels |
|
Longford |
6 |
15 weeks |
|
Louth |
1 |
8 weeks |
|
Mayo |
10 |
8 weeks |
|
Meath |
9 |
8 weeks |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
8 weeks |
|
Offaly |
12 |
22 weeks |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
4 weeks |
|
Sligo |
0 |
– |
|
Tipperary |
35 |
16 weeks |
|
Waterford |
3 |
1 week |
|
Westmeath |
8 |
20 weeks |
|
Wexford |
6 |
8 weeks |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
16 weeks |
176 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department has received an application from a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath for participation in the early retirement scheme for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6779/99]
The person named applied for an early retirement pension on 4 January 1999. Due to the volume of work a backlog has arisen in the processing of applications. There has been considerable improvement in recent weeks and this application will be dealt with as soon as possible.
I would 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 in the Department of a valid application determines the date from which payment is made.
