Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 463: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason her recent announcement on a top-up payment for current farm retirement participants did not include a backdated payment; if she will review this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38001/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Substantial increases in the maximum pension rates under both Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming will take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum in the 1994-99 Scheme from €12,075 to €14,075 and the maximum in the current Scheme from €13,515 to €15,000.

These increases will cost some €33 million extra over the remaining period of the two Schemes and the expenditure will not be eligible for EU co-funding. Consequently the full cost of the increases must be met from the Exchequer.