asked the Minister for Lands if he will outline the conditions laid down for the payment of a gratuity to forestry workers on their retirement; and if he will have details of this information made available in pamphlet form so that forestry workers will be fully aware of their entitlements under the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gratuity to Forestry Workers.
33.
Under the Superannuation Act, 1963, retirement gratuities are payable to certain unestablished classes in State employment, including forestry workers, whose employment ceases owing to age, ill-health or redundancy and who satisfy certain prescribed conditions as to service, etc.
Gratuities are calculated at the rate of one week's pay for each completed year of service, after deduction of absences without pay, up to 15 years and two weeks pay for each subsequent completed year of service subject to a maximum of 78 weeks pay. Under existing legislation the minimum service necessary to qualify for a retirement gratuity is seven years.
I intend to have a leaflet dealing with retirement gratuities ready for issue shortly.