Vol. 545 No. 3
97 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of applications for farm retirement pension on hand; the number approved; the time taken to process an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30376/01]
Since the introduction of the new early retirement scheme in November 2000, 659 farmers have applied to join. Of these, 447 have been approved for payment and a further 149 applications are currently being processed. A total of 11 applications have been definitively found to be ineligible and two cases are under appeal. The remaining applications have been returned to applicants because of defects or missing documentation. If the deficiencies are rectified, or missing documentation supplied, there is the possibility that they can be successfully re-submitted.
Under the Protocol on Direct Payments to Farmers, my Department has undertaken to bring valid applications to the stage of approval for payment within 12 weeks if they are selected for pre-payment inspection, and ten weeks if they are not. A further six weeks is then allowed for payment to issue. My Department is fully up to date in respect of these undertakings.
