asked the Minister for Finance if any decision has been made and when proposals for legislation may be expected regarding suitable pensions for teachers in primary schools, including lay assistants in convent and monastery schools and junior assistant mistresses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary School Teachers' Pensions.
No decision in the matter referred to in the question has been made, and it is not expected that a decision can be arrived at pending further investigation of the whole question of the Pensions Fund.
Would the Minister say when the investigation will take place? Is he aware that a large number of teachers are awaiting a decision on the matter?
As a matter of fact, an investigation is at the moment proceeding.
Has the Minister received any communication from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation in connection with this matter?
I have.
Did not an investigation into this matter begin under the previous Government? How long has the investigation in all been going on?
I think the Deputy misunderstands the purpose of this question. The Deputy, in his supplementary question, seems to have in mind the actuarial investigation that took place about 1926 or 1927. The investigation that is now proceeding is to see how far and in what way the fund can be put in a solvent position. Naturally, there have to be negotiations of a certain character with the various interests concerned, including all classes of teachers.