asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention has been directed to the order made at the meeting of the Kilkenny Mental Hospital Committee, on September 24th, to the effect that "this committee is of opinion that the widow and children of a deceased officer should benefit from the pension"; whether he is aware that great hardship arises in the case of widows and dependents of mental hospital employees who die in the service of the hospital or in a short time after retirement; and further, whether he is aware of the desire of the local authorities that the Asylum Officers Superannuation Act would be amended, or provision otherwise made to enable mental hospital committees to give a gratuity or some such relief to the dependents of mental hospital pensioners on the death of the pensioner; and whether it is his intention to introduce proposals for legislation to deal with the problems referred to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mental Hospital Employees.
I have seen the resolution referred to, but I would point out that it refers to the dependents of a deceased pensioner and not of a deceased officer. I would also point out that there is power to grant a gratuity to the dependents of an established officer of a mental hospital committee who dies in the service after he becomes entitled to a superannuation allowance. As regards the last part of the question no amending legislation is proposed.