(1) Is the three year window for gifting of family farm assets under the Retirement Assistance for Farmers Scheme scheduled to end on 15 September 2000; if so, why is the Government yet to respond publicly to the review provided to the Minister in mid 1999 by the Minister's Department.

(2) Among other things, was the purpose of the departmental review referred to in part (1) to (a) assess the extent to which the scheme was meeting its objectives, (b) assess the factors which promote or inhibit access to it and (c) examine the justification for, and the cost and equity of, any changes to the eligibility criteria for the scheme and its extension past September 2000.

(3) Will the Department's report be made public, if not, why not.

(4) Has the Minister's attention been drawn to problems people have had accessing the Retirement Assistance for Farmers Scheme because of the rigidity of the eligibility criteria, including the problems (a) resulting from the requirement that assets be personally gifted, rather than gifted from a company or trust and (b) caused by the treatment of equitable interests such as life estates.

(5) Will the Government extend the Retirement Assistance for Farmers Scheme; if so, what changes will be made to the eligibility criteria; if not, (a) why not and (b) to what extent does the Government consider the scheme has met its stated objectives.

(1) Yes, the Retirement Assistance for Farmers Scheme which provides a three year 'window of opportunity' for low income, pension age farmers and their partners to gift their farms to the younger generation, retire from farming and qualify for the age pension is due to finish on 15 September 2000. The departmental review of the scheme is currently being considered by the Government in the 2000-2001 Budget context.

(2)(a) Yes

(b) Yes

(c) Yes

(3) The Government is currently considering the future of the scheme in the context of the 2000-2001 Budget. No decision has been made as to whether the departmental report will be made public.

(4)(a) Yes

(b) Yes

(5)(a) The Government is considering the Retirement Assistance for Farmers Scheme and the need for any changes to the scheme in the context of the 2000-2001 Budget.

(b)The Retirement Assistance for Farmers Scheme has been effective as a welfare measure to assist needy farmers. As at 28 March 2000 more than 1550 farmers and their partners have been successful in being granted an age or service pension or an increase in their rate of income support payment under the scheme. This is in line with initial estimates that the scheme would assist some 2100 farmers and their partners during the full life of the scheme.