asked the Taoiseach if a member of the Government has recently retired from the service of a local authority; and, if so, whether he will state the name of the member in question; further, if he will state whether such member has applied for or will in due course be given a pension or retiring allowance by the local authority concerned and the amount of such pension; finally, if he will indicate the grounds on which it has been or may be granted, and cite the relevant provisions of the statute governing the grant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension for Member of Government.
Dr. T.F. O'Higgins, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, has recently retired from the post of chief medical officer under the Meath County Council. I understand that he has applied for the grant of superannuation for which, in accordance with Section 23 (2) (a) (i) of the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1948, he is eligible as an established officer who has attained the age of 60 years and has not less than 20 years of pensionable service.
The grant of superannuation in such a case is a matter for the local authority concerned, subject to the relevant provisions of the Act to which I have referred. The provisions governing the amount of superannuation are contained in Section 24 and 25 of the Act, dealing, respectively, with the determination of the lump sum and with the determination of the annual allowance.