Dáil Éireann debate -
Friday, 23 May 1947

Vol. 106 No. 6

Committee on Finance. - Vote 16 — Superannuation and Retired Allowances.

Minister for Education (Mr. Derrig)

I move:—

That a sum not exceeding £531,530 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1948, for Pensions, Superannuation, Compensation (including Workmen's Compensation), and Additional and other Allowances and Gratuities under the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1946, and sundry other Statutes, Extra-Statutory Pensions, Allowance and Gratuities awarded by the Minister for Finance; fees to Medical Referees and occasional fees to Doctors; etc.

Mr. Davin

I move that the Estimate be referred back. This motion was put down for the purpose of giving the Parliamentary Secretary an opportunity of stating whether it is the intention of the Government to give a supplementary pension, in view of the increased cost of living, to the resigned and retired R.I.C. men. The Parliamentary Secretary knows the history of the matter. Evidently, the British Government, in the case of those who served up to the period of disbandment, have given supplementary pension allowances on two occasions since the beginning of the last world war. I understand that repeated applications have been made by groups representing the resigned and dismissed R.I.C. men. We have been told here that other State pensioners have received supplementary pension allowances. We have been told, too, that the position of retired teachers is under consideration. Am I to take it that the claim made by this small group will be favourably considered with the others when the case of State pensioners comes up for consideration?

Mr. Cogan

I do not know whether there is any provision in the Estimate for pensions for widows of members of the Garda. There is a case for revision of those pensions in view of the increased cost of living. They were fixed at a very low rate and reconsideration of them is an urgent need.

Mr. Norton

May I direct this inquiry to the Parliamentary Secretary? It was indicated in the House some years ago that the Minister for Finance had directed an actuarial examination of the entire superannuation code. It was understood that that actuarial examination was proceeding. Questions in the House subsequently elicited that the actuarial examination had been suspended because the actuary had been assigned other duties. I directed a question to the Minister for Finance recently to ascertain when we were likely to see the report of the actuary, and the Minister for Social Welfare, who replied, indicated that the work had, apparently, again been suspended and he was unable to say whether or not it was then proceeding. Can the Parliamentary Secretary give any indication whether the actuarial examination is, in fact, proceeding and, if it is, when it is likely that the report of the actuary will be available? This is a very important matter. A large number of persons are affected by the superannuation code. It is of vital importance to them now because the Minister for Finance has indicated that he is not prepared to consider long over-due amendments to the superannuation code until such time as he is in receipt of the actuarial report. Can we have some indication now as to when that report will be available?

Mr. O'Grady

It has been frequently stated by more than one Minister that the question of increasing the pensions of limited classes of persons such as those referred to by Deputies could not be considered separately. No decision has yet been come to by the Government on the matter, but, obviously, they cannot consider one or two classes without considering all the persons who would be more or less living under the same conditions. Obviously, the two cases of the resigned and dismissed Royal Irish Constabulary and the widows of deceased Gardaí could not be singled out for consideration without going into the claims of all the people who would be equally entitled to consideration. Deputy Norton raised a question regarding the actuarial examination. I understand that that is still in suspense, as the actuary continues to be engaged on other work.

Mr. Norton

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give any indication as to when that examination will be resumed; when we are likely to get the report?

Mr. O'Grady

I am not in a position at present to inform the Deputy.

Mr. Norton

I should like the Parliamentary Secretary to make some inquiry and perhaps he will write me on the matter.

Motion to refer Estimate back, by leave, withdrawn.

Vote put and agreed to.