Vol. 552 No. 1
203 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when an EU farm retirement pension scheme payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11798/02]
As I stated in reply to Question No. 234 on 20 March, my Department was in correspondence with a professional adviser acting for the person named in February of this year when an exemption was sought and granted under the force majeure provision from one of the conditions of the early retirement scheme. To date a completed application under the scheme has not been received in my Department from the person named. He must make a formal application if he wishes to join the scheme, and the date of receipt of a valid application is the earliest date from which payment of a pension can commence.
