Ivan Yates
Question:187 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will have an early retirement scheme application approved; and, if so, when. [10830/00]
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
The person named applied for an early retirement pension on 17 December 1999. Because of the large volume of applications under the scheme which were received in the closing months of 1999 there is a significant backlog at present. The applications on hands are being processed by local office staff in conjunction with other priority work.
It is expected that the processing of this case will be completed in the coming weeks. I would point out that when the processing of an application is delayed in this way there is no 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.