asked the Minister for Health if representations have been made to him for the purpose of having the pension rates of members of mental hospitals who retired prior to 1940 increased; and, if so, what action he proposes to take.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mental Hospital Pension Rates.
The reply to the first part of the question is "yes". As indicated in my reply to a question put down by Deputy Kyne on the 16th December, 1948, 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. This matter is under active consideration at present by the Departments concerned.
Can the Minister say if the pensioners whom I have mentioned, and other pensioners, have any reasonable prospect of having their allowances increased in the near future?
I cannot give the Deputy any definite date, but, as I have told him in my reply, the matter is being considered by the Departments concerned and it will be dealt with as rapidly as possible.