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Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 3 Aug 1923

Vol. 4 No. 24

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - CORPORATION EMPLOYEES PENSION.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether Terence Myles, a late employee of the Dublin Corporation Cleansing Department, aged 60 years, having 30 years' continuous service, retired more than a year ago, having been recommended for a pension of £2 11s. 6d., being two-thirds of his average wages for the preceding three years; whether this pension has been sanctioned, and if not, will the Minister state the reason for the very long delay in deciding this case.

The facts are as stated in the first part of the question. This is one of some sixty cases where sanctions have not been given. In awarding pensions to their employees the Corporation have adopted a policy to which there are two main objections: (1) that irrespective of length of service, pensions have been granted on the basis of two-thirds of the existing emoluments; and (2) that emoluments of a temporary nature have been included and deemed as substantive for purposes of calculation of pensions. This is an indefensible method of procedure. In April last a fully explanatory letter was addressed to the Corporation indicating the general principles warranting the granting of and the amounts of pensions, and the Corporations were invited to reconsider the cases.

To the fact that this course has not been adopted any delay which has occurred is referable. It is understood, however, that effect has been given to my authorisation that pending the determination of the cases the employees concerned might be paid temporarily according to their years of service. Presumably under this arrangement Mr. Myles is being paid some twenty-nine sixtieths of such amounts at a rate fixed on basic wages, together with appropriate allowance in respect of any increases which were founded on the enhanced cost of living.

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