asked the Minister for Local Government whether certain whole-time officers of the Limerick County Borough Technical Instruction Committee were removed from office in September, 1919, for reasons other than incapacity or misconduct, under circumstances over which the officers had no control; whether they were awarded pensions and gratuities under Sealed Order of the Local Government Board in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1919; whether their rights to such pensions were challenged in the Courts, and finally confirmed by judgment of the Court of Appeal; whether these officers are to be paid the pensions and gratuities so determined, and what arrangements, if any, are being made for that purpose, considering that nearly four years have elapsed since the awards were made.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - LIMERICK TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION OFFICERS.
The Government has no liability in this matter.
I understand these officers resigned with the permission of the former Local Government Board under Section 8 of the Local Government Act, 1919, following upon a dispute concerning the administration of the Limerick County Borough Technical Instruction Scheme. Subsequently they applied to be granted allowances for loss of office. The Limerick Corporation refused their claims, and later their cases were decided on appeal to the former Local Government Board. The allowances so awarded were fixed at the maximum two-thirds rate, an equivalent of 40 years' service, when in only one instance did the actual service rendered reach 20 years. The Board's decision was at the time challenged by the Corporation in the Law Courts, and was confirmed as stated.
These cases are at present under consideration, and ex gratia advances in respect of the pensions and gratuities awarded are being made without prejudice from the Government Funds.
Has the Government any liability to see that the provisions of an Act which is still the law of the land, and is not repealed, should be carried out?
The proper way to do that is for the parties who have claims to bring the necessary legal proceedings.