asked the Minister for Finance whether the actuarial investigation of the Teachers' Pension Fund promised during the debates on the Primary Education Estimates on the 7th June, 1926, has yet been completed; and if he is in a position to say when the report of the actuary will be available.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TEACHERS' PENSION FUND.
The actuarial investigation of the Teachers' Pension Fund is only in the initial stage, and I am unable to state when the report of the actuary will be available.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Will the Minister give any explanation for the rather extraordinary delay that has taken place in this matter, seeing that other very important matters will depend on the publication and issue of this report?
There has not been any avoidable delay. There is nobody in this country who could be employed on the work, and arrangements were made with the British Government to assign an actuary to do this particular work. He has been in this country in connection with other matters, and has been engaged on this work since November last. While it will be quite impossible to say when exactly he will have the work finished, as each of the two previous investigations into the fund which took place occupied twelve months, it may be anticipated that his report will be available some time about November.
Mr. O'CONNELL
In view of the great delay that is bound to take place in this matter, is the Minister prepared to modify his attitude with regard to the granting of pensions to those two classes who have been looking for them for a long time, teachers engaged in convent schools and junior assistant mistresses?
I will consider having arrangements made, when a decision is come to, so that the delay would not prejudice the individuals concerned.