Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 6

Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.

John Browne

Question:

162 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an overpayment of farm retirement pension arrears made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be waived on the grounds that these arrears were paid in error by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9083/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Under the terms and conditions of the scheme of early retirement from farming, the early retirement pension has to be reduced by any national retirement pension payable to the beneficiary. In a joint management situation any national retirement pension received by both the beneficiary and his/her spouse has to be deducted from the early retirement pension.

This was a case of joint management, that is, the applicant's husband was the landowner releasing the land but the early retirement pension was paid to his wife by virtue of the fact that she was considered to be managing the farm with her husband. The purpose of this arrangement was to maximise the benefit to the applicant and her spouse.

The applicant's husband became entitled to non-contributory old age pension from 21 November 1997. However, this Department was not made aware of the fact until September 1998. As a result, an overpayment of £3,604.64 arose under the early retirement scheme which is currently being recovered at the rate of £100.13 per month.

As the scheme of early retirement from farming is 75 per cent funded by the EU, this Department is precluded from writing off this overpayment.