The person named has not been in communication with my Department in the period since the Deputy's previous Question on his behalf. As I stated in my previous reply, my Department was unable to accept his application under the Early Retirement Scheme because it did not satisfy all of the scheme conditions.
Specifically, there was an issue with his proposed transferee's off-farm income in the year before the application, which is the determining period under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. The fact that the proposed transferee may now have a smaller off-farm income does not change the situation.
The person named was notified on 1 March 2010 of the reason for the refusal of his application and was informed of his right to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.