Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2006
353 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the effect which the award of a contributory old age pension will have on an existing farm retirement pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16354/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a requirement of the EU Council Regulations under which the 1994 and 2000 Early Retirement Schemes were introduced that the Early Retirement Pension can be paid only as a supplement to any national retirement pension to which the participant (and his or her spouse or partner in a joint management arrangement) is entitled. The Old Age Contributory Pension is a national retirement pension and consequently its value would be deducted from the Early Retirement Pension.
