asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that Mr. Patrick Farrell, The Knock, Balbriggan, and Mr. John Duffy, Watery Lane, Finglas, who were over 60 years of age when Part III of the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1948, was adopted by Dublin County Council and who ceased to hold employment after 40 years' and 30 years' service respectively, with the council, in April, 1950, by reason of infirmity, have been denied pensions under the Act in accordance with departmental circular E. L. 55/50 of 18th August, 1950, issued in connection therewith, on account of breaks in service which occurred as a result of their participation in a strike in 1947, and if he will state whether it is the policy of his Department so to penalise workers who have given such service because they were involved in a strike before the Act became law, and who could not be expected to anticipate what penalties, if any, might be imposed upon them at a future date under an Act which did not come into operation until the year following the strike and if he will indicate what steps he proposes to take regarding the desirability of granting pensions to these men.
- Local Government Superannuation Act, 1948.
I understand that the workers referred to by the Deputy have not been denied pensions but that the question of the extent of their pensionable service is still under consideration by the local authority, who hope to give decisions shortly.
Is the Minister aware that the fate of these two workers, who served 30 years and 40 years respectively with the Dublin County Council, has been under consideration for a year or more? Is it not time that the local authority did something about it and will the Minister not see that they do?
I can assure the Deputy that I will do whatever I can.