asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps, if necessary by the introduction of legislation, to provide that service in the Defence Forces is regarded as counting for superannuation purposes in the case of road workers employed by local authorities.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Workers' Superannuation.
115.
Pensionable local authority roadworkers are entitled in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1956, to reckon service with the Defence Forces during the Emergency to the extent that they would have been employed by a local authority if they were not serving with the Defence Forces. In practice, the amount of the Defence Force service which is reckonable by a roadworker is related directly to the pattern of his service with the local authority in the period immediately preceding and following the Emergency. An amendment of the legislation to allow road-workers to reckon service with the Defence Forces otherwise than in accordance with the existing provisions is not contemplated.
Is it not the position that in the case of a soldier who enlisted in the Army from the local authority that service is not reckoned for pensionable purposes? Is this not an anomaly? Would the Minister kindly look into the matter?
The service in question relates only to the Emergency.
I am talking about men who were not in the employment of the local authority when they joined the Army. I think these are the men about whom Deputy Coughlan is concerned. Would the Minister have another look at this?
It relates to the period of work with the local authority before the Emergency only.
But their Army service is not taken into account for pension purposes.
I will have a look at it.
116.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will re-examine pensions paid to road workers employed by local authorities with a view to granting an increase of 20 per cent.
Pensions of retired local authority employees, including roadworkers, are adjusted in line with periodic increases in other public service pensions under regulations made by the Minister for Finance in pursuance of the Pensions (Increases) Act, 1964. I cannot authorise increases additional to those provided for in the regulations.
Is the Minister not aware of the anomaly in respect of road workers' pensions? Established officers of local authorities are entitled to have years of service added for pension purposes but this privilege does not extend to the ordinary road worker who is designated a servant. Does the Minister not think that grossly unfair? It is a serious differentiation between the officer and the servant and will the Minister take steps to have the same concession granted to the road worker and the overseer as that granted to the established officer?
I am not aware of that and I can only promise to look into the matter.