asked the Minister for Finance if, with respect to the civil service superannuation scheme, he will introduce amending legislation to provide that Army service during the Emergency which preceded the commencement of employment in the Civil Service will be regarded as service for the purpose of assessing pension rights under the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Service Superannuation Scheme.
15.
I have had this matter under consideration and I have already decided that service of up to two years in the Army during the Emergency may be reckoned for the purposes of civil service superannuation. This concession is in line with that granted to the Garda Síochána following the report of the Conroy Commission.
In view of the fact that the Emergency lasted for six years does the Minister consider two years a reasonable period?
I think it is reasonable in the circumstances.
Why should the people who went back to their jobs after two years be treated better than others?
That is not the position. Those who were in the Civil Service before the Emergency and who served in the Army during the Emergency are in a different category. They get credit for service as if they had remained the whole time in the Civil Service. What is involved here is the case of people who went into the Army during the Emergency and subsequently went into the Civil Service.