Vol. 550 No. 2
180 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will clarify his recent statement that State pensions will not be deducted from farm retirement pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7967/02]
There is no change in the basic rule that a national retirement pension has to be deducted from any pension being paid under the schemes of early retirement from farming. This is a requirement of the EU Council regulations governing both schemes.
The recent announcement refers to the agreement obtained from the European Commission that widow's and widower's pensions should not be regarded as national retirement pensions until a recipient reaches the normal retirement age of 66 years. Once these pensioners reach the age of 66, however, the amount of their early retirement pension must be reduced by the amount of widow's or widower's pensions that they receive. This was already the position under the previous early retirement scheme and the Commission's agreement relates to the new scheme.
