169 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the details of the early retirement pension for farmers will be available; when farmers can make application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15688/07]

Proposals for a new Early Retirement Scheme, with a maximum annual pension payment rate of €15,000, have been included in the draft Rural Development Programme for the period 2007–2013. The draft Programme was sent to the Commission in late December 2006 to begin the approval process. I cannot be definite as to how long this process will take but I continue to pursue early approval and my officials are in ongoing contact with their counterparts in the Commission services.