asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the fact that postal officials who declined to continue their service with the Irish Free State and left the Post Office on pension, after the passing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, received an increase of 2/26ths in their pensions as from 1st January last to meet the increased cost of living, he will see his way to grant the same increase to those pensioners who completed their service and retired at 65 years of age, seeing that they are also affected by the increased cost of living as the Treaty pensioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensioners and Cost of Living.
The position of postal officials who retired under Article 10 of the Treaty is governed by the Civil Service (Transferred Officers) Compensation Act, 1929, whereas the cases of other retired officials are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1923. There is no power under the latter Acts to grant the increase suggested by the Deputy to any person who retired at a time when the cost-of-living index figure was lower than 65.