asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the inflation within the country, he will take immediate steps to bring the pension position of retired Garda Síochána on a par with that of civil servants particularly in relation to granting them the full benefits of the 12th round increases and the impending 13th round increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Síochána Pensions.
69.
Retired members of the Garda and retired civil servants have been granted similar types of pension increases, the most recent increase being this year when all pensions were brought up to a level based on 1st June, 1969 pay rates.
The question of further increasing pensions is a budgetary matter and it will be considered in that context.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that, due to the unusually harsh rate of inflation experienced in the country in the last two years, an increase in Garda Síochána pensions is overdue and that Garda pensioners are more than deserving of an increase in the very near future?
I should love to be in a position to increase everybody's pension but the Deputy will appreciate that over the years we have been gradually bringing up rates of pensions. People had pensions based on ten years ago, and so on. Now they are based on 1969. The position has been improved in each of the last two or three years Budgets and I have no reason to expect that there will not be a similar improvement in the next Budget.
Is it intended to extend the same degree of parity to State pensioners other than the gardaí?
That is a separate question. The question relates to the Garda Síochána.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the Garda Síochána level of pensions is still only at the 11th round stage and that this is rather backward?
1st June, 1969.
This is December, 1971. In the meantime the consumer price index has risen by nearly 25 per cent.
There was a time when pensioners in my constituency were getting the princely sum of 7s or 8s a week. I am glad to see that progress has been made.