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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 5

Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

43 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will consider increasing the early farm retirement pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6124/01]

The rate of pension payable under the 1994 early retirement scheme is the maximum provided for in the EU Council regulation under which that scheme was introduced. A change in the rate would require the adoption of a new Council regulation.

In its proposals for the scheme that commenced on 27 November 2000, which forms part of the rural development plan for the period 2000-06, my Department had included provision for annual increases in pension over the period of the plan. The European Commission indicated that this was not acceptable and that a fixed rate must be set. My Department then proposed a rate equivalent to the average of the scale initially put forward. This proposal was acceptable to the Commission and is the rate provided for in the new scheme.

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