Vol. 510 No. 3
173 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when part payment retained from recipients of the early farm retirement scheme for the current year will be refunded to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22441/99]
The Council of 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.
In so far as the scheme of early retirement from farming is concerned, full compensation, with 100% funding by the EU, will be payable for the reduction in 1999 pensions to participants who joined the scheme prior to 1998. Approval of the EU Commission is necessary before compensation will be paid. It is hoped that the Commission will give the necessary approval by the end of November and once such a decision is received, payment will issue as soon as possible. Two further tranches of compensation at reduced levels will be paid.
