Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

179 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that applications for the farm retirement scheme, which have been increasing rapidly in the past year, will be speedily dealt with and adjudicated upon; the number currently awaiting final adjudication; the time lag involved from date of application to date of decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14389/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

The number of applicants awaiting final adjudication is 760.

I understand that for some time, there has been a delay in processing applications due to scarce staff resources. I am making arrangements to ensure that unavoidable delays in processing of applications do not result in early retirement scheme applicants being penalised. The commencement date of pensions will be adjusted to take account of unavoidable delays.