asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make it clear that in cases where home assistance officers were in permanent employment prior to 1st April, 1948, such period of employment is to be credited to them for pension purposes without the deduction of contributions; and that this credit for pension will apply where the appointment order may not have been made until a date after 1st April, 1948.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions of Home Assistance Officers.
42.
I have no reason to think that local authorities are in doubt as to the position regarding the service of assistance officers who were appointed in a permanent capacity prior to the 1st April, 1948. Doubt may arise as to whether a particular assistance officer was in fact appointed in a permanent capacity prior to the date mentioned and the decision depends on the facts of the individual case. Any assistance officer aggrieved by the decision of a local authority in this respect has a right of appeal to the appropriate Minister.