Michael Moynihan
Ceist:268 Mr. M. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is being penalised for late start for pension payments when all of her documents were in order. [17219/99]
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
Under the terms and conditions of the scheme of early retirement from farming, payment of a pension can only be authorised from the date of receipt of a valid application. The date of receipt of a valid application is the date on which all core documentation is lodged with the local FDS office.
In this case, the application for the person named was lodged in the local FDS office on 21 December 1998. On examination of the application a query arose. The applicant's solicitors were requested to supply further details in relation to this query on 11 January 1999. The requested information was supplied on 17 February 1999 and this date therefore is deemed to be the date of valid application.
In the circumstances, there are no grounds for backdating the payment of the pension to the original date of application.