asked the Minister for Finance if he will now approve the payment of appropriate increases in pensions to persons whose annual pensions are less than £1,200, having regard to the general recommendation that incomes of less than that amount should be increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension Increases.
10.
I presume the Deputy is referring to public service pensions. The answer is in the negative.
Having regard to the desirability not to extend the tremendous differential which exists between rates paid to serving officers and those who have retired, would the Minister consider as a matter of urgency extending to retired pensioners an increase proportionate to that granted to serving officers?
There have been a number of increases given, bringing the pension rates up to the equivalent of the seventh round increases, plus 14 per cent to represent the increase in the cost of living index figure. It has not been possible to go beyond that at the present time.
While appreciating what the Minister says, the Minister will agree that unless an increase is given this year, we will walk backwards, as it were, to this point which is so deplorable when we have been endeavouring to close the gap in recent times.
It has never been conceded that these increases must be given. A commission was set up and there was a report specifically on that point which was accepted by the then Minister.