Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2007
784 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the new farm retirement scheme will be approved by the EU Commission in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15039/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraProposals for a new Early Retirement Scheme, with a maximum annual pension payment rate of €15,000, have been included in the draft Rural Development Programme for the period 2007–2013. The draft Programme was sent to the Commission in late December 2006 to begin the approval process. I cannot be definite as to how long this process will take but I continue to pursue early approval and my officials are in ongoing contact with their counterparts in the Commission services.
