asked the Minister for Finance whether he has yet found it possible to afford any measure of financial relief to State pensioners who were retired on small pensions and, in particular, whether he has found it possible to increase: (a) the pensions and allowances granted to the widows and children of deceased members of the Gárda Síochána, and (b) the pensions of school teachers who were retired on pensions of less than £2 per week.
Ceisteanna. — Questions. Oral Answers. - State Pensioners.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the result of the consideration promised to the applications of pensioned teachers and other pensioned employees of the State for an increase in their present pensions which were awarded in pre-war days on the pre-war cost of living; if he is aware that there are 320 exteachers on less than £55 per year, and if he will state when it is likely that they with the other pensioned teachers will receive an increase in the inadequate pensions now paid.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether he has yet completed his examination of the question of granting an increase in pensions to persons in receipt of low rates of pensions from State funds; and, if so, whether, having regard to the increased cost of living, he proposes to grant an increase to such persons.
I propose to answer Questions 4, 5 and 6 together.
As indicated in reply to previous questions on the subject, I have had this matter under examination. I regret that in present circumstances I am not hopeful of being able to afford any measure of financial relief to pensioners of the classes referred to in the Deputies' questions.
The Minister is aware that on a previous occasion he said he would rather give something to those pensioned teachers than have them drawing local government relief. That gave great encouragement to those on inadequate pensions of less than £55. Again, I would ask the Minister to reconsider the matter.
Is the Minister aware that a commission has sat in England to investigate pensions of the widows and orphans of policemen, and would he consider examining the findings of that commission in relation to our own problem here?
I do not see what bearing the findings of any British commission with regard to pensioners would have on our situation.
Is the Minister aware that the commission has recommended increases both to the widows and the orphans in England?
I am not aware of it.