asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for the delay in the payment of increased pensions to members of local authorities who retired on reaching the age limit before 1952, the number of persons concerned, the total amount provided in the Budget for such payments effective from 1st August last, the amount due since 1st August to other classes of retired local authority employees, and the number concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Local Authority Pensions.
40.
Local authorities will be authorised to grant increases in pensions when the necessary enabling legislation which is being sponsored by the Minister for Finance is available. Details of the numbers of local authority pensioners in the categories mentioned by the Deputy who will benefit by the proposed increases, and of the cost, are not available in my Department. As these pensions are paid by the local authorities out of local funds, no provision is made in the Budget for the cost of the increases apart from some minor provision to cover part of the cost of certain local authority pensions which rank for recoupment by the Exchequer.