Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 1

Written Answers - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

134 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the income increase as announced in the budget will not be available to retired farmers in receipt of a farm retirement pension; if his attention has been drawn to this situation; his views in this regard; if he has satisfied himself that retired farmers should be the only group of pensioners who cannot get income increases due to the system operated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3250/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Under the terms and conditions of the scheme of early retirement from farming, where a State pension becomes payable to a retiring farmer, the early retirement pension will be offset by the amount of the State pension. Accordingly, the increase in State pensions as announced by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs in the budget will have to be offset against the early retirement pensions in the relevant cases.