Vol. 573 No. 4
211 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications for farm retirement pensions approved, rejected or pending in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25872/03]
A total of 699 applications for the early retirement scheme 2000 have been received in the 12 month period from 1 November 2002 to 31 October 2003. Of these, 567 have been approved for payment; 18 have been refused and 108 are being processed. A total of six applications were withdrawn following submission.
A number of the applications that were refused may yet be successful if the deficiencies identified in them are rectified.
