Vol. 527 No. 4
130 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the proposals he has to increase the pension paid to farmers under the early retirement scheme in the period 1994-96 to the level which is to be shortly introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28981/00]
The rate of pension payable under the scheme of early retirement from farming introduced in 1994 is the maximum amount provided for under the Council Regulation (EEC) No 2079/92, which governs the operation of that scheme. While higher rates of pension are payable under the new scheme which came into effect on 27 November, this scheme was introduced under Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/99. The two schemes are entirely separate and it is not open to me to increase the level of payments to participants in the 1994 scheme.
