asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the fact that all officers and servants to the Waterford Mental Hospital Board who retired since 1st July, 1940, have been granted an increase according to the scale of their superannuation awards, he will allow a similar increase of not less than 50 per cent. to those who retired prior to 1st July, 1940.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mental Hospital Pensioners.
As indicated in my reply to a question put down by Deputy Pattison on the 18th November any proposal for reviewing the pensions of officers and employees of mental hospital authorities who retired before the 1st July, 1940, would have to be examined in relation to the adjustment of pensions of superannuated officers and employees of public authorities both central and local as a whole. Consideration is still being given by the Departments concerned to the question of instituting a comprehensive review of this kind.
Would the Minister not agree that the cost of living has increased on those people just as it has on all of us and in so far as this House saw fit to agree to the amount of money paid to Deputies and Ministers——
The Deputy is making a speech. He had better ask a supplementary question, if he has one.
In so far as this House has decided to increase the pay of those people, are not those who retired prior to 1940 entitled to consideration?
Has the Deputy a question to ask?
I have asked the Minister to consider the position of those people.