asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that an ex-postman has been notified that his pension has been reduced from the 1st January, 1948, following recent changes in the cost of living; that payment had been made on a cost-of-living figure of 215 while the proper figures were stated to be 210 up to 1st July and 205 thereafter; that as a result deductions are being made from this man's pension for two months so that it will be only £7 8s. 8d. per month; if, in the circumstances, he will state (1) the basis on which the figures were arrived at and (2) whether he will refund the deductions to this man in view of the recent increase to civil servants which takes effect from last May.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension of ex-Postman.
The ex-postman referred to retired under Article 10 of the Treaty. The compensation payable to him is variable in accordance with the provisions of the schedule to the agreement set forth in the First Schedule to the Civil Service (Transferred Officers) Compensation Act, 1929. The cost-of-living figures by reference to which his compensation was varied were those appropriate to the Civil Service sliding scale which was in operation at the passing of the Act and under which his compensation was calculated.
The discrepancy in the figures to which the Deputy refers arose when the interim cost-of-living figure was introduced in November, 1947. On account of this change a certain delay necessarily occurred in extracting the relative figures computed on the older basis. Pending their extraction payment was continued on the last official figure available on that basis, viz., 215. When the figures were ascertained they were lower than 215 and a recovery had accordingly to be effected of the amount of 23/4 overpaid. That amount was recovered at the rate of 11/8 a month. No question of refund arises as the amount of compensation payable to Mr. Carroll is governed by statute and is not affected in any way by movements of Civil Service pay. I may add that the figure increased from 205 to 210 as from the 1st October and the particular award to which the question relates is now payable at the full rate of £7 11s. 0d. per month appropriate to the figure of 210.
It is now 4 o'clock. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges decided that, if at all feasible, each week's questions should be answered within the week.
I, therefore, suggest that Question Time be prolonged by half an hour to-day, and that any questions not reached by 4.30 should be set down for oral answer at 10.30 a.m. to-morrow. I take it that the Dáil agrees to waiving Standing Orders accordingly.
Agreed.