Vol. 249 No. 2
asked the Minister for Finance the cause of the delay in the granting of an ex gratia pension to widows of former members of the Garda Síochána, more especially in view of the fact that such ex gratia pension have been sanctioned for widows of other former public servants.
111.
asked the Minister for Finance if the ex gratia pension scheme extends to widows of members of the Garda Síochána; and, if not, if he will ensure that the scheme is applied to such widows as soon as possible.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
Widows of members of the Garda Síochána are eligible for pensions under the Garda Síochána Pensions Orders. A claim for the payment of ex gratia additions to these pensions is at present being examined under the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Garda Síochána. I cannot, at this stage, indicate what the outcome of this examination will be.
