Vol. 552 No. 4
75 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason an application for a farm retirement pension by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon has not been granted; his views on whether there are extenuating circumstances beyond the control of this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12625/02]
No formal application has been received in my Department from the person named. In February this year, a professional adviser was in correspondence with my Department on her behalf seeking an exemption under the force majeure provision from two of the conditions of the early retirement scheme. This exemption was granted. However, the person named then contacted my Department again to say that the person to whom she had sold her lands was now over the upper age limit for eligibility as a transferee under the scheme. The eligibility of the transferee is determined by his-her age at the time an application is made and, as stated, the person named has not made a formal application under the scheme.
My officials are reviewing the case to see whether the circumstances were such as to justify a further exemption under the force majeure provision.
