Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: 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. [8810/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I decided to increase the maximum pension payable under the 1994–99 Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming from €12,075 to €14,075 per annum and the maximum pension payable under the 2000-2006 Scheme from €13,515 to €15,000 per annum with effect from 1 November 2006.

These increases, which will be funded entirely from the Exchequer, formed part of the undertakings in the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016. They will benefit some 5,000 retired farmers and add some €33 million to the cost of the Schemes over the time they have left to run.