Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:24 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of applications for the EU early retirement scheme for those over 55 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11890/02]
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
A total of 1,035 applications have been received since the start of the current early retirement scheme in November 2000, of which 815 are approved for payment and a further 175 are being processed. Of the remaining 45 applications, a small number were found to be completely ineligible, usually on age grounds. Many of the others had faults that could be rectified, however, and the applicants have every chance of being accepted into the scheme if their applications are submitted again in a correct form.