Vol. 519 No. 4
77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of applications on hand in respect of farm retirement pension; if decisions have been reached in all cases; if unsuccessful applicants for this scheme will be eligible to apply for the new scheme; if so, the conditions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13998/00]
Because of the large volume of applications under the scheme which were received in the closing months of 1999, there are 340 early retirement applications on hands at present. The applications on hands are being processed by local office staff in conjunction with other priority work.
My Department is making every effort to expedite the processing of these applications. 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.
Proposals for a new scheme of early retirement from farming were submitted to the European Commission in December 1999. These are still being considered by the commission and it is not possible to anticipate the detail of the operating rules which will apply.
78 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new farm retirement pension scheme will be operable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13999/00]
The Rural Development Plan 2000-2006, which contains proposals for a new scheme of early retirement from farming along with other measures, was submitted to the European Commission in December last and the Commission has six months from then to consider it. Formal negotiations on the plan with the Commission are now well under way, though it is not possible to indicate at this stage when the Commission will be in a position to approve it. When the plan is approved, my objective is to secure the earliest implementation of each measure including the new scheme of early retirement.
