Vol. 547 No. 1
256 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason the social welfare contributory old age pension of a person (details supplied) in County Meath is being deducted from a European Union farm retirement pension; the reason deductions from the European Union retirement pension increase as the contributory old age pension increases each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1035/02]
The EU Council Regulation under which the early retirement scheme was introduced requires that the pension payable to a participant must be reduced by the amount of any national retirement pension to which he or she is entitled. As a consequence, if the amount of the participant's national retirement pension increases there must be a corresponding reduction in his or her pension under the early retirement scheme.
The person named is in receipt of a contributory old age pension since 24 March 2000, the amount of which is being deducted from his early retirement pension.
