I move:
That the Defence Forces (Pensions (Amendment) (No. 3) Scheme, 1962, prepared by the Minister for Defence with the consent of the Minister for Finance under Sections 2, 3 and 5 of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Act, 1932, and Section 4 of the Defence Forces (Pensions) (Amendment) Act, 1938, and laid before the House on the 6th day of December, 1962, be confirmed.
The purpose of this scheme is to provide for the Budgetary increases in retired pay and pensions. The increases are already being paid on foot of the Supplementary Estimate for pensions approved on 18th July, 1962.
The increases are similar in nature to those provided for in the other measures already considered by the House. Retired pay and pensions are brought up to 2nd November, 1955, level in the case of those retired before that date and are then further increased by 6 per cent. Those retired on or after 2nd November, 1955, receive an increase of 6 per cent. Pensions in respect of widows and children of officers are increased by 20 per cent. There is also an article dealing with the special case of an officer who joined the Garda Síochána after retirement from the Defence Forces.
On the basis of current expenditure, the estimated annual cost of the increases for which this Scheme provides is £85,000.