asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the fact that many persons retired from the Civil Service on low rates of pension which were related to the cost-of-living index figure as low as 50 and 55; and whether, in view of the fact that the index figure has since risen to 150, he is prepared to grant an increase in bonus to such persons to meet the increased cost of living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Bonus.
In order that cost-of-living bonus may be reckoned in the calculation of pension it must be regarded as part of an officer's salary and emoluments. Pensions granted under the Superannuation Acts cannot, under the existing provisions of those Acts, exceed a prescribed proportion of the salary and emoluments payable to a civil servant at the date of retirement and I am, therefore, precluded by statute from reassessing the pension of a retired civil servant by reference to a higher cost-of-living bonus than that payable to him at the date of his retirement.
Does not the Minister realise that persons who retired on pension under Article X of the Treaty are at present having their pensions calculated with reference to a cost-of-living index figure of 140, I think, whereas persons who retired in normal circumstances, through old age or ill-health, are conditioned in many cases to a pension based on a cost-of-living figure of 50 or 55? In view of that very obvious anomaly, will the Minister not take legislative steps to ensure that those who served the State for the full span of their official life will be treated not less favourably than those who retired under Article X?
What about the old national teachers, some of whom have only £50 a year?
Keep your own rabbit to yourself and let us get an answer to this.
I do not think we had complete power over the Article X arrangement. There were special considerations given to those people which were not available for others.
Is it not anomalous that in respect of two persons serving in a particular grade for a defined period of years, one who retires under Article X has his pension calculated with reference to a cost-of-living index figure of 140, and the other has his pension calculated on the basis of a cost-of-living index figure of 50 to 55? Surely the Minister should remedy that position.
I cannot hold out any hope.