Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason she did not backdate the top up payment under the farm retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3542/07]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will backdate the top up payment under the farm retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3541/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 138 together.

I decided to increase the maximum in the 1994–99 Scheme from €12,075 to €14,075 per annum and the maximum in the 2000-2006 Scheme from €13,515 to €15,000 per annum with effect from 1st November 2006.

These increases formed part of the undertakings in the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016. They will add some €33 million to the cost of the Schemes over the time they have left to run, and will be funded entirely from the Exchequer.