Bernard J. Durkan
Question:104 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the length of time to process an application for farm retirement pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14185/03]
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
The protocol on direct payments to farmers sets a target of 12 weeks for the processing of a valid application to the stage of scheduling for payment if the case is selected for pre-payment inspection, and ten weeks if it is not. The target for issue of payment is a further six weeks.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the uptake on the farm retirement pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14186/03]
A total of 1,890 applications have been received under the current early retirement scheme since it commenced in November 2000. Of these 1,643 have been approved for payment; 63 have been refused; 174 are currently being processed and ten were withdrawn. A number of the applications that were refused may yet be successful if the deficiencies identified in them are rectified.
Since the early retirement scheme commenced in 1994 a total of 11,915 farmers have qualified for pensions under the scheme.
Questions Nos. 106 to 109, inclusive, answered with Question No. 91.