asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that no appointments to the permanent staff of Clonmel Mental Hospital were made between the years 1922 and 1933, any vacancies arising being filled in a temporary capacity; and, if so, whether he would be prepared to recognise for pension purposes, etc., such service when the people concerned reach the retiring age.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointments in Clonmel Mental Hospital.
From the inquiries which I have made it appears that the practice of the mental hospital authority in regard to the recruitment of staff was as stated by the Deputy. Provision for the reckoning for pension purposes of unestablished service given prior to 1st January, 1947, is made in Part VIII of the Mental Treatment Act. The effect of the relevant provisions is that a serving officer who, prior to the 1st January, 1947, gave service which would have been pensionable but for the fact that he was not regarded as an established officer and did not, therefore, pay superannuation contributions, may elect to pay the appropriate contributions and such service is thereupon reckoned for the purpose of calculating his superannuation allowance and lump sum. An officer who is aggrieved by a decision of the mental hospital authority has a right of appeal to me.