Vol. 542 No. 5
257 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position regarding the processing of applications for farm retirement pensions; the number of applications approved under the new scheme; the number pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25325/01]
Since the introduction of the new early retirement scheme in November 2000, 575 farmers have applied to join the scheme. Of these, 371 have been approved for payment and 142 applications are currently being processed. Of the remainder, 11 have been definitively found to be ineligible and two cases are under appeal. The rest have been returned as defective, but if the deficiencies are rectified there is the possibility that they can be successfully re-submitted.
