asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that national teachers who were pensioned on the 1917 scale are in receipt of pensions of so small an amount that they cannot live thereon; and whether he is prepared to increase the pensions payable to these persons, who do not comprise a large class, and to whom a reasonable increase could be made with a negligible charge on the Exchequer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Teachers' Pensions.
Provision has already been made in the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, and in Section 6 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1923, as amended by the Superannuation and Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1925, for the increase of pensions granted prior to the 16th August, 1920, provided that the pensioner's total means do not exceed £150 a year if unmarried, and £200 a year, if married. These provisions apply to the national teachers referred to by the Deputy, and I regret that I cannot consider a proposal for any further increase of pensions.