Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has concluded the review of the farm retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14207/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department recently completed the expenditure review of the current scheme of early retirement from farming. Copies of the review were laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 13 April 2005.

The expenditure review process was established by the Department of Finance in 1997 in the context of the strategic management initiative. The purpose of the review of the early retirement scheme is to analyse systematically whether the scheme is meeting its objectives and to inform future decisions regarding priorities on expenditure programmes. I am considering the conclusions and recommendations.