(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will outline the details of the annuity or pension payable under the current farmer's retirement scheme since its inception, the increases granted to date, the date of the last increase and when he proposes to bring it up to date.

6.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he intends to grant increases in pensions under the farm retirement scheme of a similar amount to the increases in other pensions granted in the budget and if not, why.

7.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has satisfied himself that the rates of pensions payable to persons under the farmer's retirement scheme are adequate.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 6, and 7 together.

In each of the past four years the annuity payable under the farmer's retirement scheme has been increased from 1 May broadly in line with the consumer price index. I intend to consider in due course whether a further increase should be made from 1 May next.

Particulars of the annuities payable under the scheme are set out in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Amendments to the enabling directive have been proposed by the EEC Commission and these are at present being considered by the Council of Ministers. When decisions have been taken by the Council the question of amending our farmers' retirement scheme will be considered.

Following is the statement referred to:

Rates of Annuity payable under the Farmers' Retirement Scheme.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister saying that these annuities or pensions have been increased each year in accordance with the cost of living increase?

Yes.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister bring them into line with other pensions?

I hope to have the matter examined before 1 May.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Minister agree it would be unfair to leave this hanging over until the end of the year while other pensions will be increased quite soon?

I agree there is a gap between these annuities and the pensions under the social welfare code. I hope to have the matter reviewed as soon as possible so that the increases can be awarded from 1 May.

Does the Minister agree that because these pensions have been increased merely in line with the cost of living index they have fallen behind social welfare pensions—that the increases given have been equivalent to only half those given to social welfare pensioners, old age pensioners and so on? Does he not agree that is unjust discrimination?

They have been increased in accordance with the cost of living index. That was done by the Deputy's Government.

Old age pensions have been increased by almost twice the amount.

I have agreed there is a gap between these pensions and those of social welfare recipients. This has been accentuated by the huge increases given by the Government in this budget.

The gap is getting wider all the time and nobody wants to avail of the scheme because of that.

Does the Minister think the scheme has been a success?

Not the success we would like it to be.