Application forms for the new early retirement scheme, with the terms and conditions under which the scheme will operate, will be available from the local offices of my Department from 29 November. Farmers who were unable to participate in the old scheme may submit an application under the new one. Any farmer applying under the scheme should read the conditions very carefully before submitting his or her application to ensure all of the conditions for eligibility under the scheme are satisfied. I can give no commitment as to the outcome of individual cases until such time as my Department is in a position to examine the applications. However, I hope farmers who were excluded from the old scheme in certain circumstances, such as those where legal documentation relating to transfers of lands was not complete when the old scheme closed to applications on 31 December 2000, will be able to satisfy the conditions necessary to qualify under the new scheme.