asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is now in a position to say when the proposals for providing a superannuation scheme for employees in the service of local authorities will be introduced; and, further, whether he is aware that the subject has been under consideration in his Department for several years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Superannuation Scheme for Local Authorities' Employees.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will indicate when it is intended to introduce proposals for legislation to provide pensions for employees of local authorities who are not pensionable at present.
I propose to take Questions 38 and 39 together. There has been no change in the position since the Deputy was informed a year ago that consideration of the proposals had to be deferred owing to the volume of emergency work demanding prior consideration.
There was no question of emergency work when it was stated that proposals would be introduced. Is the Minister aware that the Cork Corporation are surcharged each year because there is no superannuation scheme for the employees when they retire?
I am afraid that is a separate question.
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor, nearly three years ago, promised that steps would be taken to introduce this Bill without delay, and that in fact a session was named as the session during which a Bill on this subject would be introduced? Will the Minister say why he has not been able to implement that promise?
Because I have not been able to control the course of the war.
Will the Minister agree to allow somebody who can deal efficiently with this matter to handle it?
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor, when asked about a superannuation scheme in respect of fire brigades, said that it would have to wait until such time as the scheme in respect of employees of local authorities in general came along, and gave the House on several occasions to understand that legislation would be introduced?
Legislation will be introduced as soon as it is possible to introduce it. In the meantime the emergency problems have to be dealt with.