asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that an employee of Tipperary County Council for 25 years was laid off work in March last, as a result of which he has not been registered under the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, since he was three weeks short of the required service; and, if so, if he will have this injustice corrected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tipperary County Council Employee.
I have no information about the particular case referred to by the Deputy. Part III of the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1948, which relates to employees, was adopted by the Tipperary S.R. County Council as from 1st October, 1948. Permanent employees of the local authority could opt for the Superannuation Act within six months of the date of adoption. The name of an employee who has opted must be entered in the register of established servants if he has three years' service as a permanent servant. I will send a copy of the Deputy's question and of my reply to the county council and let him have any further information which the council has to furnish on the matter.
Is the Minister in a position to make any statement to the House regarding the generally unsatisfactory operation of this most unsatisfactory Act, which nobody appears to understand, about which there are a thousand conflicting opinions amongst local authorities, and is he in a position to state that this Act will be replaced by some sensible legislation in respect of superannuation of local authority employees and, if so, when?
I cannot cover that in a supplementary reply. Certain aspects of the matter have been covered in a circular issued by the Department to local authorities, in an effort to clear up some of the points that are in doubt.