I move:
That a sum not exceeding £223,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1969, for payment of Increases in certain Pensions, Allowances and Retired Pay in respect of public service.
Under this heading we are seeking the approval of the Dáil for increases in public service pensions, including military service pensions and special allowances with effect from 1st August, 1968. As Deputies know, in the Budget Statement we undertook to increase all public service pensions by five per cent. The actual cost in the current year is expected to be £223,000. In the Budget speech I mentioned £200,000, but the more detailed calculations which have been made since then indicate that this increase will require £223,000. The main classes of pensions concerned are those of former civil servants, national teachers, and so on. As regards increasing local authority pensions, part of that cost will fall on the Exchequer, but the Estimate contains only a token provision of £10, as it is not expected that any claim will be presented by local authorities before the end of this financial year.