asked the Minister for Defence if he will take steps to make the new pension rate for regular soldiers retrospective to date of conclusion of European hostilities, so as to cover the cases of regular soldiers who retired between that date and 2nd September, 1946.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Pension Scheme.
It is not proposed to make the new pension rate for regular soldiers retrospective to the date of conclusion of European hostilities.
Is the Minister aware that there appears to be about 150 non-commissioned officers and men who, as a result of exhortations by their commanding officers in the early part of 1945, collaborated with the Minister in the inevitable demobilisation which must ensue on the conclusion of the emergency and who sought and secured civilian employment, thereupon resigning from the Army, in order to reduce the burden upon the Minister's Department of finding civilian employment for demobilised men when the general demobilisation took place? While it is true that they got a gratuity which must be set off to some degree against the 10/- loss which they sustained through retiring before the date of the new pension scheme, does it not seem a hardship that these men who sought to be co-operative should, in fact, find after their retirement, that they have suffered a material loss in pension? Will the Minister consider that aspect of the case?
This question has been discussed on three occasions by the Oireachtas and I can only refer the Deputy to the answers which I gave in reply to the discussions which took place.
Was the question raised in the circumscribed form which is here set out, which dates the matter after the end of hostilities?
It was raised in every possible form.
Possibly. I suppose it is no harm to continue to whistle, Open the Door, Richard.