asked the Minister for Finance whether the widows' and orphans' pension scheme for civil servants has global application; if not, what categories are excluded; and whether arrangements can be made to include widows excluded at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' and Orphans' Pension Scheme.
39.
The contributory scheme applies to established male officers who were serving on or after 23rd July, 1968. It does not apply to unestablished staff.
As regards the widows at present excluded from the scheme I assume the Deputy is referring to the widows of officers who retired or died prior to 23rd July, 1968, and who are receiving ex gratia pensions at half the rate of pensions under the contributory scheme. I would refer him to my reply of 2nd December, 1971, to a question on this subject by Deputy M. Clinton.
I am not too clear on this point, but can the Minister state whether some of the widows excluded from the scheme offered to make up portion of the period they lacked? Was some such offer made to his Department?
It is true that they made that suggestion, or offer, at the time the matter was discussed, prior to the introduction of the ex gratia scheme. There were objections to that and, as a result, it was decided on the ex gratia scheme which is non-contributory.
Is there any possibility of bringing about some kind of change in this regard?
I should not like to hold out any hope on that.