Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.

David Stanton

Question:

224 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number who have availed of the farm retirement scheme each year for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22319/00]

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

The number of farmers who have availed of the scheme of early retirement from farming in the past three years is set out in the following table:

Year ended December 31st	Number of entrants to the Scheme	Total number of Scheme Participants
1997	1,702	7,121
1998	1,221	8,333
1999	958	9,291

A further 854 persons who had lodged applications before 31 December 1999, the closing date for receipt of applications under the scheme, were approved and put into payment during the period 1 January 2000 to 30 September 2000.