Vol. 512 No. 6
158 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make a statement on the situation regarding persons applying for, and in receipt of payments under the farm retirement scheme; the way in which these interact with their possible entitlement to payments from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; and the difference between farmers who applied prior to July 1997 and those who applied after that date. [26853/99]
Under the terms and conditions of the scheme of early retirement from farming, when an participant reaches 66 years of age he or she must apply to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs for both the contributory and non-contributory old age pensions. If a pension is awarded by that Department it must be offset against farm retirement pension. Where the application for admission to the scheme is made under the joint management arrangement, both spouses must apply for the old age pension on reaching age 66.
Participants who joined the scheme prior to July 1997 and who become entitled to old-age pensions will not have them offset against their early retirement pensions.
