Vol. 506 No. 2
168 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the payment of the farm retirement pension to the age of 75 has been approved; the delays, if any, in approving the scheme; when the extended payments will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15000/99]
The rural development regulation which was adopted by the Agriculture Council last month as part of Agenda 2000 agreement provides for continued support for early retirement from farming. The payment of pension for up to 15 years or to age 75 is just one of the number of options provided for in the regulation for the future early retirement scheme. The terms and conditions which will apply to such a scheme are being considered at present in the context of an integrated rural development plan which my Department has to prepare to implement the new rural development regulation.
The integrated rural development plan must be submitted to the European Commission within six months of adoption of the regulation and the Commission is required to approve the plan within six months of its submission. The provisions of the regulation cannot be implemented until the Commission has approved the plan and in any event not before 1 January 2000.
