Paul McGrath
Question:248 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of people in receipt of the early retirement scheme for farmers. [1786/03]
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
At the end of December 2002, a total of 6,900 participants were in receipt of pensions under the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming and 1,265 were in payment under the new scheme that commenced in November 2000. At that time, some 500 other applications for the new scheme were being processed.
249.Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if in relation to the recent changes in the farm retirement scheme, the Minister will confirm if the present income ceiling for farmers by which those pensioners are prevented from benefiting from state pensions will be removed. [1787/03]
The changes I recently announced relate to the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming. These changes were approved by the European Commission and remove the obligation on transferees to have enlargement land and to engage in farming as a main occupation once five years' participation in the scheme has been completed.
The changes have no bearing on the provision in both the 1994 scheme and the new scheme that the early retirement pension may be granted only as a supplement to any national retirement pension that the participant, and his or her spouse or partner in a joint management arrangement, may receive. This provision is a requirement of the European Council Regulations governing the two schemes.