asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will give the number of CIE pensioners who are in receipt of pensions since before 1963; and if he will take steps to substantially increase the pension to bring it into line with present day standards.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Pensioners.
2.
The number of wages grade pensioners who retired before 1st April, 1963, is 1,911.
As I stated in reply to a question on 3rd July, 1968, consideration of the position of these pensioners is almost completed and I hope to be able to make a statement in the matter at an early date.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this statement should be made in a matter of weeks because if there are only 1,911 of these pensioners, the cost of bringing them up to the grading of the other CIE pensioners will not be extraordinary?
Will the statement be made before the referendum?
As I have stated that it will be at an early date, it is likely to be before the referendum.
Will it be in a matter of weeks or months?
I think it is more a matter of weeks than of months.