I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 67 together.
The number of farmers expected to avail of the farm retirement scheme over the next five years is estimated at 7,000. In co-operation with Teagasc, my Department held a series of nationwide information meetings, all of which were well attended. A substantial number of inquires about the scheme were made at those meetings and by phone, written or personal contact to the Department's offices. To date, first payments for pensions have been made to 30 applicants While the processing for payment of a further 77 is at an advanced stage. I expect the 1994 allocation of £7.5 million will be sufficient to meet expenditure under the scheme in the current year.