Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of take up of the farm retirement scheme since its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3957/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Payments are currently being made under two Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. A total of 10,278 farmers entered the 1994-1999 Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming, which closed to new applicants on 31 December 1999. Under the 2000-2006 Scheme, which was introduced in November 2000 and closed at the end of December 2006, 2,958 cases have been approved for payment to date. Proposals for another Scheme are included in the draft Rural Development Programme for the period 2007-2013, which is currently with the European Commission for approval.