Vol. 508 No. 1
271 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo who made application under the farm retirement scheme in 1997; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17373/99]
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 the core documentation is lodged with the local FDS office.
In this case, the application for the person named was not lodged in the local FDS office until January 29 1999. My Department subsequently wrote to the applicant on 18 May 1999 requesting supporting documentation of certain items in relation to her application. When all the necessary material has been provided the processing of the application will be finalised.
