Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position, in view of the suspension of the farm retirement and the installation aid scheme, with regard to a farmer over 55 years who had made all the necessary arrangements to enter the scheme, such as the disposal of livestock, the creation of a lease or transfer but had not lodged the application form with his Department; if concessions will be available in order to alleviate the hardship that would be caused for these people should they have to re-enter farming in order to survive due to the loss of the pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38205/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I have made provision of €47 million in 2009 to meet current commitments under the Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming but, for the present, it has been necessary to suspend new applications for the scheme. The limiting of the suspension of the Scheme will be considered at the earliest opportunity but with regard to the current budgetary constraints.