asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a number of road workers with more than 25 years' service were retired or dismissed without pension before the Dublin County Council was restored in 1948 and prior to the date on which the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1948, became effective and if he will now introduce proposals for legislation providing for payment of pension to persons over the age limit specified in the 1948 Act who were employed by the council until after the effective date and also to permit payment of pensions to those with not less than 25 years' service who were retired or dismissed before 1948.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Road Workers.
I am aware that a number of road workers whose service with the Dublin County Council and other road authorities had ceased before the passing of the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1948, were not eligible under the Act for pensions. Persons who were in the employment of a local authority and who were over the age of 60 when Part III of the Act was adopted by the local authority may be granted pensions under Section 88 of the Act on fulfilment of certain conditions. I can hold out no hope that the Act of 1948 will be amended to permit of its benefits being extended to persons whose employment with a local authority had ceased before Part III of the Act came into operation.
I take it that the Minister is not prepared to give special consideration to Dublin County Council, especially since it was abolished by the Minister for Finance when he held the office of Minister for Local Government and since the poverty and hardship suffered by these men is a result of his action. Other county councils were functioning, but the Dublin County Council were not functioning, and it is probable that these men would have been properly treated if it were carrying on its business.
Is the Minister aware that some of the men who were dismissed, in fact most of them, had over 40 years' service? And they were dismissed by the gentleman who is now adviser to the Minister for Social Welfare.
If Deputies take advantage of a parliamentary question of this nature to raise other matters which give vent to their feelings of spleen I cannot stop them. I have no function beyond the law as it is.