Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 5

Written Answers - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

103 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if it is possible for a farmer to lease his farm for a reasonable or nominal sum per acre to his son or daughter when he is applying for an EU pension scheme; his views on whether, if the son or daughter has a spouse and family to provide for, it may not be viable for them to pay market or even above market value for lease of land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11290/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

Provided that a lease is properly executed and is of the required duration it is acceptable under the scheme of early retirement from farming. The financial terms of the lease are not a matter for my Department.