Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2004
94 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has accrued an overpayment from his Department in respect of the early retirement scheme, despite their spouse not being in receipt of a social welfare payment at the time of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18233/04]
View answerThe person named is a participant in the 1994 early retirement scheme introduced under EU Council Regulation 2079/92, which she entered in joint management with her husband. This scheme, and its successor introduced in November 2000, are both governed by EU Council regulations. It is a requirement of these regulations that the early retirement pension may only be paid as a supplement to any national retirement pension payable. This means that any national retirement pension to which a participant, and his/her spouse or partner in a joint management arrangement become entitled, whether before or after entry to the scheme, must be deducted from the early retirement pension.
The overpayment for the person named arose from the concurrent payment of her husband's old age contributory pension and the full amount of early retirement pension. Arrangements have now been put in place to allow for repayment of the amount overpaid. My Department is obliged to recover all overpayments under the scheme, as failure to do so would jeopardise its obligations with regard to EU funds.
95 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will review an agricultural grant entitlement for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of depopulation of suckler cow herd on veterinary advice in the year 2000. [18239/04]
View answerThe person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined in this case did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure-exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003. Following this decision the person named submitted an appeal, to the single payment appeals committee. The decision on the appeal will be issued shortly to the named person.
