asked the Minister for Local Government if he will review the Local Government (Superannuation) Acts, 1948 and 1956, with a view to making a fifty per cent. reduction in the existing contributions, and to affording to contributory servants the same facilities as are offered to officers with regard to lump sum payments and the adding of years of service, in lieu of service lost through illness, when determining the pension finally to be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Government Superannuation Acts.
43.
The existing rates of contributions, namely, 5 per cent. for officers and 4.1/6 per cent. for servants, are considered reasonable in view of the benefits provided and the cost of these benefits to local authorities. In lieu of lump sum payments the pensions of servants are calculated on a higher basis than those of officers. In view of the differences in conditions of service between officers and servants and the existing concessions to servants in regard to reckoning discontinuous periods of employment for pension purposes etc., the adding of years in lieu of service lost through illness is not considered appropriate. In the circumstances it is not proposed to review the Local Government Superannuation Acts as suggested by the Deputy.