Vol. 522 No. 3
93 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he will publish guidelines for the new farm retirement scheme; the reason for the delay in introducing the scheme; and the number of farmers in County Galway who are awaiting sanction and approval having submitted applications and now await approval under new guidelines. [18699/00]
The Rural Development Plan 2000-2006, which contains proposals for a new scheme of early retirement from farming with other measures, was submitted to the European Commission in December last. Formal negotiations on the plan with the Commission are in their final stage.
There are 18 applications being processed in the Galway area. These, with all other applications received by 31 December 1999, are being processed under the terms of the existing scheme.
94 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps he will take to have the pension payable under the farm retirement scheme, index linked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18783/00]
Ireland's CAP Rural Development Plan 2000-2006 was submitted to the European Commission at the end of December last. This plan covers early retirement with REPS, compensatory allowances and forestry. The proposals in respect of the early retirement scheme included an element of indexation.
Negotiations with the Commission are taking place on the rural development plan and these are now in their final stage. Until the approval of the Commission is obtained, however, it will not be possible to say what the precise terms of the new early retirement scheme will be.
