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Farm Retirement Scheme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004

Wednesday, 3 November 2004

Questions (167, 168)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

219 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make representations to the EU concerning the fact that the scheme for the early retirement pension is not index linked and that applicants under the scheme on reaching the age of 66 and having received the old age non-contributory pension will have a corresponding amount deducted from their EU retirement pension, thus leaving participants no better off than their entitlements to secondary benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27407/04]

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Written answers

The rate of pension payable under the 1994 farming early retirement scheme is the maximum provided for by the EU Council regulation under which the scheme was introduced. The regulation does not provide for indexation of payments. My Department's proposals for the current early retirement scheme, which commenced on 27 November 2000 and is one of the measures in the CAP rural development plan for the period between 2000 and 2006, make provision for annual increases in pensions over the period of the plan. The European Commission rejected this proposal and insisted on legal grounds that a fixed rate be set instead. The EU regulations governing the schemes of early retirement from farming require that any national retirement pension, contributory or non-contributory, to which a scheme participant, and his or her spouse or partner in a joint management situation, becomes entitled must be deducted from the early retirement pension.

Departmental Staff.

Billy Timmins

Question:

220 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of personnel who work in her private office; the rank and grades of these persons; the job descriptions of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27471/04]

View answer

The following table shows the number of staff in my private office and their grade:

Personal Adviser

1

Press Adviser

1

Private Secretary

1

Executive Officers

2

Clerical Officers

4.5

Total

9.5

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