asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will consider the desirability of including in any future legislation for pensions, dependents of members of the fire brigade service who may lose their lives in the exercise of their duties; and if he will include the widows of those men who lost their lives in the Pearse Street fire.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dependents of Firemen.
I would suggest the Deputy await the terms of the measure on which I hope to make a statement before the end of this session. As regards the latter part of the question, the dependents of the firemen who lost their lives in the Pearse Street fire received the maximum amount of workmen's compensation and contributory pensions under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts have been paid to the widows of the men. It would not be possible to reopen these cases which were dealt with nine years ago.
Will the Minister answer that part of the question in which I ask whether he proposes to provide that, in the event of such an accident as occurred on the occasion of the Pearse Street fire, the widows and dependents of those who lost their lives will receive pensions from the local authority?
I have nothing to add to the first part of the reply I have already given.
The Minister is aware that a promise was made at the time of the Pearse Street fire, when three men were killed by the explosion, that the claims of their dependents would be considered when any new pensions scheme was brought before the House? Will the Minister consider the claims of the dependents of those who lose their lives in carrying out their public duties?
I have already made a suggestion to the Deputy which I hope he will accept.