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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Willie Penrose

Question:

215 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the sharp reduction in farm retirement pension to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person never received more than ?104 per week from their old age pension; if outstanding arrears will be awarded to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2441/03]

The EU Council regulation under which the early retirement scheme was introduced requires that the pension payable to a participant must be reduced by the amount of any national retirement pension to which he or she, or his or her spouse or partner in a joint management application, is entitled. The person named joined the scheme under the joint management arrangement, which means that the amount of any national retirement pension payable to either herself or her husband must be deducted from the early retirement pension.

The person named and her husband are both in receipt of separate weekly non-contributory old age pensions which, following implementation of the budget 2003 increases, will amount to €114.00 per week each. The increased rates are effective from 3 January 2003. The scheme provisions require that the combined value of the two pensions must be deducted from her early retirement pension. My Department is reviewing all payments made to the person named following receipt of a revised statement from the Department of Social and Family Affairs showing the old age pension amounts paid to her and her husband.

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