asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of CIE pensioners at present in receipt of the following weekly pensions: (a) £1 (b) £1 2s 6d and (c) £2 11s 3d; and whether it is intended to grant any further increase in their pensions to these categories of pensioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Pensions.
13.
The number of CIE pensioners at present in receipt of the weekly pensions mentioned are:
(a) Pensioners in receipt of £1: 845.
(b) Pensioners in receipt of £1 2s 6d: 959.
(c) Pensioners in receipt of £2 11s 3d: 82.
In addition to the CIE pension these pensioners are entitled on retirement to weekly social welfare benefit of £2 12s 6d for a single man or woman or £4 12s 6d for a married man between the ages of 65 and 70 years and from 70 years of age onwards pensioners receive the contributory old age pension of £3 per week for a single man or woman or £5 7s 6d for a marrised man. Thus, at 70 years of age a single man would receive a weekly income of between £4 and £4 2s 6d and a married man between £6 7s 6d and £6 10s. From January, 1968, the social welfare benefit will be increased by 5/- per week for a single man or woman and by 10/- for a married man.
Unless the existing members of the CIE Wages Grade Pension scheme were prepared to agree to an amendment of the scheme to provide for an increase in the rates of pension payable to existing pensioners, the full cost of any such increase would fall to be borne by CIE on an ex gratia basis. In the present difficult financial position of CIE the Board are not in a position to increase these pensions.
I wonder has the Minister got this information—the total amount paid by CIE to this class of pensioner for each year over the past five years?
I am afraid I have not got that information.
I am sure the Minister will admit that it is a diminishing amount.