John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she intends to extend the farm retirement scheme when the current scheme ceases on 31 December 2006; if, in introducing a new scheme, she would considering increasing the rate of pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14404/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Council regulation covering the current early retirement scheme will expire in December 2006.

The Council regulation on rural development for the period from 2007 to 2013 includes provision for member states to operate several schemes, including an early retirement scheme, and lays down the maximum pension which may be paid under any such early retirement scheme. No decisions have yet been taken regarding which schemes will be operated in Ireland under this regulation, nor has the format of any such schemes been decided.