asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware of the many anomalies affecting both officers and employees in the Local Government service regarding superannuation; that certain boroughs have statutory superannuation schemes, while certain other boroughs have no such superannuation schemes for employees; that many officials are nearing the age for retirement, and that there is considerable dissatisfaction in cases where no statutory superannuation scheme operates; and, if so, whether he has at present under consideration these anomalies and the desirability of a general code of superannuation applicable to permanent employees of local authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Superannuation Schemes for Local Government Service.
Part IV. of the Local Government Act, 1925, provides a uniform superannuation code for officers of local bodies, other than officers of mental hospitals. Officers who had superannuation rights at the passing of the 1925 Act were given the option of availing of the new provision or retaining their existing rights. Established officers and servants of mental hospital authorities have a special superannuation code. Wholetime employees, as distinct from officers, of a local authority can be superannuated in the boroughs of Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Limerick, and Waterford, but not elsewhere. This is because in 1905 Dublin Corporation obtained power in its own local Act, while Waterford and Limerick Corporations had certain temporary provisions for that purpose inserted in their respective City Management Acts. Dun Laoghaire Borough got the benefit of the Dublin superannuation provisions on the passing of the Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930.
The preparation of a general superannuation measure was in progress at the outbreak of war in Europe. Work thereon had to be suspended, however, owing to the volume of emergency work which fell upon my Department and the other Departments concerned, and which demanded prior attention. It is hoped to resume consideration of the measure at an early date.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has had any representations from local government officers regarding the present scheme of superannuation and any request for the alternative method which has been in operation in the Civil Service for many years past, namely, lump sum payment on retirement and a lower basis of superannuation.
Representations on the subject have been received. They will be fully considered in conjunction with the preparation of the measure referred to in my reply to previous question.