asked the Minister for Defence whether in view of the low rates of retirement pensions for privates and non-commissioned officers who have served for long periods in the Defence Forces, and the fact that no gratuity is payable on retirement, he will re-examine the present rates of pension with a view to providing a substantial increase for such persons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Privates and Non-Commissioned Officers: Rates of Pension.
13.
I should like to assure the Deputy that the matter to which he refers is one which I have under constant consideration. If, like my predecessors, I have been unsuccessful in doing all that might be regarded as desirable, it is due to financial factors which, as the Deputy will appreciate, are not altogether within my control. I can promise, however, that the matter is one which I shall continue to keep in mind in the hope that circumstances will permit of an improvement. While it is true that there is no gratuity payable, the position in this regard has been improved since November 1957 by the granting of 91 days' pre-discharge leave with full pay and allowances to a soldier with 21 years' service instead of the 21 days previously granted, a concession which should prove of assistance to the soldier in making arrangements to return to civilian life.
I am glad to note the sympathetic ring in the Minister's answer. I hope it will not be long before he will effect the reform he has in mind. The highest rate of pension which, say, a battalion sergeant-major —the highest non-commissioned rank in the Army—can receive after 31 years' service is £3 10s. a week if he is married and approximately £30 less per annum if he is not married. He receives no gratuity on retirement. These rates for non-commissioned officers compare very unfavourably even with the rates paid to Army officers on retirement. When an Army officer retires he receives a pension and a gratuity which the non-commissioned officer does not get. Would the Minister give some further consideration to this matter in the hope that he will do something to improve the conditions of a section of the Army which in fact must really be its backbone?
The matter is under constant consideration.