Vol. 527 No. 3
184 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position in relation to the new farm retirement pension scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number of applications carried for ward from the previous scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28652/00]
The new scheme of early retirement from farming was launched on 27 November and to date no applications have been received from intending participants.
The previous scheme was introduced under a different EU regulation and it is entirely separate from the scheme that has now been introduced. Any applications under the old scheme that have not yet been finalised are being processed under the terms and conditions of that scheme. In a limited number of cases, farmers who did not qualify for inclusion in the previous scheme may apply under the new one but they must meet its terms and conditions.
