157 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason an application by a person for a pension under the farm retirement scheme was refused; and if he will rescind this decision and sanction payment. [28164/01]

On 21 December 1999, my Department received an application for the scheme of early retirement from farming from the person concerned. The closing date for the receipt of valid applications under that scheme was 31 December 1999. A valid application is a fully completed application accompanied by all the necessary supporting documentation indicating the conditions for payment have been met.

In this case, the application was not deemed valid because section 12 consents in respect of her farming transferee's enlargement land were not received until July 2000, seven months after the closing date for receipt of valid applications. In the circumstances, my Department had no option but to reject the application.

When my Department notified the person named that her application had been rejected, she was also advised that she appeared to be eligible to apply for the new early retirement scheme introduced in November 2000. It was also pointed out to her that participation in the new scheme would be more beneficial to her in a number of respects. To date, however, she has not applied for the new scheme.