Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Willie Penrose

Question:

195 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps he will take to ensure that the payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath under the scheme of early retirement from farming, which has recently been suspended, are immediately restored to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21925/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

On 1 September 1998 the person named was granted permission to substitute his farming transferee. As all of the required legal documentation in respect of the substitution had still not been submitted by August of this year, my Department had no option but to suspend payment of his early retirement pension pending investigation of the matter.

My Department has been in contact with the applicant's solicitors and, on receipt of the required documentation, the question of restor ing the person's pension payments will be examined further.