Michael Creed
Ceist:352 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will introduce an annual increase in the farm retirement pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2509/02]
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
The rate of pension payable under the 1994 early retirement scheme is the maximum provided for in the EU Council regulation under which the scheme was introduced. The regulation does not provide for indexation of payments.
The rate of pension payable under the present early retirement scheme which commenced in November 2000 is set down in my Department's CAP rural development plan, 2000-06. In its proposals for the present scheme, my Department had made provision for annual increases in the rate of pension. However, the European Commission rejected this proposal and insisted that a fixed rate be set for the full period of the rural development plan.