Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding applications under the early retirement scheme; if completed applications, which are with the State farm advisory service, Teagasc, for submission but were inadvertently delayed, will be considered under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24243/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Early Retirement Scheme was suspended for new applications on 14th October, 2008. I am, however, conscious that some potential applicants were at an advanced stage of preparing an application when entry to the scheme was suspended and had made, or were making, arrangements to meet the requirements of the Scheme.

I am acutely aware of the difficulties which a number of intending applicants had encountered. I am currently examining options for resolving these cases against the background of the competing demands for the limited resources which are at my disposal.