Vol. 426 No. 1
132 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of potential eligible applicants under the proposed farm retirement scheme; the amount of money made available from Europe for the purposes of this scheme and the amount being made available by way of Irish Government subvention to this scheme; when he expects that applications will be invited and considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
142 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when the farm retirement scheme will be in operation; and the date after which the terms of the scheme will apply in respect of transfers completed.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 142 together.
Under EC Regulation EEC/No. 2079/92 member states may institute a Community aid scheme for early retirement from farming partly financed by the EC.
Details of the scheme to operate in Ireland are at present being drawn up by my Department and it is expected that the scheme will be introduced, following clearance by the EC Commission, by the end of the summer of this year. Full information will be made available in due course.
