asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether, in view of the fact that the receipt of National Health Insurance benefit is in no sense a grant from public funds, he will arrange that the receipt of such benefit shall not disqualify a non-pensionable officer on retirement through ill-health from eligibility for a grant from the Special Fund at the disposal of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Non-Pensionable P.O. Officers.
Non-pensionable officers, retiring through ill-health, who have given not less than 15 years' full-time service are eligible for grants from the Minister's Special Fund, even if they are beneficiaries under the National Health Insurance Acts. This does not, however, apply to part-time officers, and it is considered that there are not sufficient grounds for enlarging the scope of the Fund so as to include such officers.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary give a reply to the first part of the question without making any distinction between one class of servants and another?
The answer covers the whole question.
It does not.
There is a differentiation made between full-time and part-time officers. Full-time officers who have given not less than fifteen years' service are eligible for a grant from the Special Fund, but part-time officers who have given not less than fifteen years' service are not eligible if they are in receipt of National Health Insurance benefit.
For that reason?
For that reason.